You Are a Tree: And Other Metaphors to Nourish Life, Thought, and Prayer―A Contemplative Meditation on Language in Scripture and Poetry to Find Meaning and Understanding in Our Words

by Joy Marie Clarkson

In a world dominated by technology and efficiency, we speak of ourselves as we process things, we recharge. But theologian and podcaster Joy Marie Clarkson suggests that people are more tree than computer. Pushing back against the impersonal way of viewing ourselves and the world, this book examines how metaphorical descriptions of our life and experiences shape the way we think, pray, and live. Weaving together personal stories, Scripture, poetry, and art, Joy offers a series of meditations on metaphors we use in everyday life to understand things like wisdom, security, love, change, and sadness. These reflections will inspire you to

· live with more joy, gratitude, and God-given purpose
· create healthier expectations of ourselves and others
· embrace the beauty of being a human crafted by God
· infuse the world with new meaning

When we grow more attentive to the words we use, our experiences of the world will become more rich and meaningful. We will see God, ourselves, our relationships, and the world in a new light and with a tapestry of scriptural imagery, full of hope, promise, and beauty.

Genres: Nonfiction, Theology, Christian, Christian Non Fiction, Philosophy, Christian Living, Faith

208 pages, Paperback

Published February 20, 2024

About the author

Joy Clarkson is a lover of God and people, a crafter of words, and a dedicated evangelist for the soul-enriching benefits of teatime. She studied Rhetorical Communications at Biola University, where she competed on the speech and debate team as a champion of parliamentary debate. Joy is currently working on her doctorate in Theology, Imagination, and the Arts at the University of St. Andrews in Scotland, where she enjoys long walks on the shore of the North Sea and visits to tiny fishing villages. She fills her days with academic research, music making, adventuring, and savoring deep conversations with her soul friends. In her spare time, Joy bakes, sings, reads, writes, dabbles in marketing, adores golden retrievers, and drinks too much tea.

Connect with Joy on website, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

Reviews

[Haley Baumeister]

Truly as delightful and wise as you can imagine a book from Joy would be.

Lots of great primary sources and rabbit trails to follow, to make these metaphors your own and let them seep into your bones.

[Makayla Ressler]

I am a tree. A comparative metaphor to the competing “I am a computer.” Language has meaning, and metaphors have the quality of transferring one thing to another. Come view humanity through the eyes of grace by extending metaphors of grace.

P.S. I missed my subway stop while reading this book and writing this review.

[Laura]

The introduction is a helpful exploration of why metaphors matter and how they work, and this is certainly the best and most interesting part of the book. I really appreciated the concept of the book! The chapters, however, ramble on a bit and your enjoyment of this book will really depend on how much you enjoy Joy Clarkson's voice.

Each chapter begins with an effort to unpack a familiar metaphor and show several examples of the ways that this metaphor infuses our language. Eventually, though, each chapter starts to veer into territory that either carries the metaphor a bit too far, or tries to offer advice, or just bops around with little slightly-related personal anecdotes. You can speed read these bits once you've got the hang of the metaphor and skip to the end where she recommends a lovely piece of art, and a poem, and a movie, and a scripture passage to complement each metaphor. These are lovely gems and, in my opinion, this book could be enjoyed just as well by reading the intro and then skipping to these suggestions for pondering the metaphors further. After all, the beauty of a metaphor is often that it doesn't need a lot of prosaic instruction for us to comprehend it. I found myself wishing she'd written a series of tight, poignant little poems rather than these bloated essays.

As much as I've read of her work, I think I've come to the determination that her voice is just a bit too chirpy for me. She writes as someone who maybe hasn't experienced serious pushback on her cheery theories of life? I can't quite put my finger on it but much of her "wisdom" doesn't feel seasoned enough to be shared and I find myself wincing a bit as I read her words.

[Sharon Weinschreider]

2.5 stars. Most of the best material in this book is found in the introduction. It’s worth pondering the contrast between Biblical metaphors comparing us to trees, vs modern metaphors that compare us to machines.

It reads like an academic paper that she added personal stories to try to make it more “relatable”. Each chapter explores a different Biblical metaphor. But the exploration is more intellectual than spiritual.

She concludes each chapter with works of art, literature, music, movies, etc. and these are worth exploring.

[Karen (Living Unabridged)]

In a family of prolific authors (her parents, her older sister Sarah, etc.), I think Joy Clarkson might be my favorite. She has just the right blend of academia, whimsy, and practicality for my taste. Her writing is lovely but not overly flowery.

This collection of metaphorical musings would be great for a small group to go through together, particularly if each member brought a movie, painting, poem, etc. to illustrate the metaphor as Clarkson does at the end of each chapter.

[Panda Incognito]

This unique, thoughtful book explores the significance of metaphors for the human life. Joy Marie Clarkson explains that the way we think and talk about ourselves shapes our expectations and affects how we live. For example, she points out that even though metaphors about computers and machinery sometimes describe human processing and behavior, these metaphors can also have negative implications, implying that we should expect ourselves to be able to perform the same way at all times, are valuable because of what we can accomplish, and are disposable and replaceable. This book is full of thoughtful reflections about human nature and spiritual realities, encouraging people to consider how the language they use shapes their sense of the world.

Each chapter focuses on a different metaphorical theme. Clarkson explores concepts like love, safety, and sadness, drawing on Scripture, literature, and personal stories to explore how different metaphors represent complex realities. Each chapter also includes recommendations and descriptions of art and other writing to engage with related to that chapter's theme. Throughout the book, Clarkson meditates on how language both represents and falls short of embodying life's complexity, and she shares wise reflections on spiritual truths.

You Are a Tree is different from anything I have read before, and I really enjoyed it. This book is somewhat meandering, but in a good way. It feels like having a philosophical conversation with a friend, and the book is full of wise insights and encouraging applications for dealing with different challenges in life. Also, even though this book will primarily appeal to people who are interested in language and philosophical concepts, there is nothing pretentious or overly academic about it. Clarkson's writing is beautiful and highly readable, and her heartfelt personal stories will resonate with many people.

I received a free copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

[Shanna]

This was a delightful read, in which Joy Clarkson examines seven specific metaphors in Scripture and their meaning for our lives. Clarkson is a gifted and thoughtful writer, and one of my favorite parts of the book is how she ended each chapter with beautiful connections. There might be a poem to look up, a piece of art to study, etc. It's why I have the "Fortress of Konigstein" on my phone and "Those Winter Sundays" hanging on my fridge. Lots of richness here.

[Lauren]

A delightful romp through the land of metaphor. Full of Joy’s wit, charm, and humor, she brings together seven common metaphors we use to describe our strange and wonderful lives.

If you’ve spent time delving into language and metaphor, this book is a lovely refresh while incorporating different works of art that help round out the abstractions of thought.

If you’ve not done that delving, this book is an excellent starting point. Joy balances her prose so it’s not too heady and not overly simplistic. Plus resources and further reading galore for the reader in the notes.

Thank you Baker for a review copy! Opinions are my own.

[Rebecca Whiteway]

This book was not for me. Which is funny, since it was a birthday gift, very much meant for me. (What the hell Luke?)

For the beginning I knew it would be a tough read because from the start it was clearly told through a Christian lens. I figured I could readjust my thinking just to pallet all the God stuff. Which I didn’t think would be too hard, having taken a few religious studies classes and having gone to catholic school up until third grade. All to say, I’m pretty open minded and empathetic to learning from other peoples perspectives, even if they don’t conform to my own ideas of spirituality or religion.

BOY WAS I WRONG! This book is essentially Christian propaganda. It leans so heavily on Christian faith, that there would be no book otherwise. I enjoyed the parts where the author would talk through metaphors, applying them to her own life experience in a relatable way. But every single one of the seven metaphors that she discussed all come back to and rely on God as a justification and baseless explanation. (I suppose that’s what faith is). But I really could not get behind some of the intense propaganda implying that everything good in life is because God gave it to you and not because of efforts you’ve made, that by not sharing your burdens with others you are preventing them from fulfilling the “Law of Christ” and therefore you are selfish somehow, and so many radical sweeping statements to elicit shame in being a bad Christian. Every metaphor boiled down to blind faith in God, in the least subtle and most tell-don’t-show kind of way.

When she wasn’t quoting the bible she was quoting Beyoncé and Lord of the Rings. Which I found a little more accessible, but in a way that felt silly when they were sandwiched between scripture.

Maybe Christians would properly enjoy and relate to this book. But for anyone who might exist outside of that demographic, it was not at all accessible or welcoming.

[Molly]

4.5 stars. if my tree tattoo was a book it would be this book. I would have loved to give it 5 stars but it lacked the last little push to a full 5– at times the writing got in the way of the ideas.

[Annie Bruza]

This was a thought-provoking read. I had not even considered how much language we use on a daily basis that talk about humans as machines. I disagree with some of the connections she makes, but having a book pointing us towards how the Bible uses metaphor to teach us about ourselves is so valuable. She does an excellent job taking old and complicated ideas and making them easy for the modern mind to comprehend. I appreciate her passion for church history and how she somehow seemlessly went from quoting Augustine in one to chapter to quoting Beyonce in another.  The other thing I thought she did particularly well was the list of songs, books, movies, or other media at the end of the chapter that further explore the metaphor discussed. It instills the idea that these metaphors are not just found in Biblical language, but are pictures of how the world actually operates.

[Amelie]

Insomuch as our houses are homes, they are metaphors for that true country we seek, carrying over the properties of the place to which our souls truly belong. In finding ways to be at home in the world, our lives become a metaphor of that true home.
We become trees, rooted in the ground, reaching for our final home.

Academic in nature and warm in tone, this is an inviting and thoughtful book, nudging one into deeper reflection about life’s metaphors that we take for granted. Joy’s writing voice is laced with insight and winsomeness, and I always enjoy reading her anecdotes and recommendations. Some parts of the book I had a bit of difficulty following, and I would have loved to see a little more Scripture interwoven throughout the chapters. Overall, though, I’d recommend this one for anyone who loves words, wisdom, and pressing deeper into life as God designed it to be.

[Sarah Fowler Wolfe]

Joy has chosen academia as a career, and it really shows in her recent work (her Substack, her podcast, and this book). This is a series of essays about metaphor, but essays in the British college sense i.e. prewritten lectures that are basically short research papers. It's fairly dry without much personal feeling involved, but filled with quotes from others. There is nothing wrong with this, but it doesn't make for a particularly strong or engaging book.

[Emily Boulter]

As a student of the English language and as someone who loves finding God and searching for the deeper meaning in ordinary things, I found this book to be lovely, engaging, and inspiring. Joy does write in a more scholarly tone, but I don’t personally mind this. She offers beautiful imagery and practical suggestions for deepening your sense of the world around you, of yourself, and of God through the mystery and adventure of metaphor.

[Layni]

Reading Joy’s book feels like sitting down with a friend to think about these Scriptural metaphors and explore their different facets and implications. I especially appreciated that Joy approaches these meditations on metaphors from an intellectual as well as emotional and spiritual perspective. She is wise, vulnerable, honest, and gentle. It is evident that Joy has a deep love for theology, literature, art, and beauty. Any reader who shares a special affection for Augustine, Tolkien, and other influential thinkers with appreciate this volume. Reframing our words about people from computer and machine language to the Biblical vocabulary of people as trees (Psalm 1, Jeremiah 7) has incredible implications and already prompted me to consider alternative word choices for common phrases that equate human beings with modern technology.

I’m confident that I would enjoy sitting down with Joy over a cup of coffee, and she truly is a kindred spirit. Her writing can be repetitive, some quotes and verses mentioned a few times, and illustrations significantly relied upon, but Joy’s integration of Scripture, classic literature, art, and music is unique and compelling.

[Schuyler]

Clarkson writes thoughtful meditations on seven metaphors in Hebrew Scripture regarding people, wisdom, safety, love, creation, sadness, and life. If you enjoy Aquinas, Augustine, Karen Swallow Prior, etc., you'll also enjoy this book. Easy to grasp yet rich in theological, philosophical, and practical applications.

[Libby Hill]

I enjoyed this contemplative look at seven metaphors we find commonly in the English language and in Christian scripture. It really was delicious and thought-provoking. A nice bedside table read with plenty of recommendations provided for delving deeper into other works of art that highlight these same metaphors.

The way we talk about life matters.

[Cristina]

This was I think my most anticipated read for 2024, I appreciated the poems/paintings/films etc. recommendations at the end of each chapter and I loved her take on the ending of the Lord of the Rings, especially from Sam's perspective (which is also one of my favorite characters). I hope she will write more. I've enjoyed Joy's books so far and this one feels like a more mature read than "Aggressively happy" and it's full of wisdom.

[Aaron Smith]

This delightful thought provoking book needs to be on your radar! What a gem! Explore metaphors with the author and learn how to improve the metaphors we use in our lives.

[Amber Whitaker]

I love a book that gives me more books to read. Paused this earlier in the year thinking our Bible study may read it, then finally decided to finish anyway and now want people to discuss it with even more. Overall, thoughtful and expansive - I loved the lists of related books, songs, poems, and art and went down quite a few rabbit holes after my favorite chapters. It felt like there were just whole new worlds of information opening up and there were many passages that affected how I thought about work, faith, my time, etc. Especially enjoyed the chapters on trees, safety, wisdom, and creation, and spent a lot of time reflecting on the things in those chapters. The second half wasn't as strong for me, but I still found it interesting and engaging.

[Emma Hinkle]

This is a delightful book about different metaphors we encounter in our daily lives and how they relate to the Christian life. "The metaphors we use to describe ourselves and the world shape how we understand ourselves and how we act in the world." At the end of each chapter, Clarkson included further questions for reflection as well as music, movies, and art that are relevant to each chapter.

I loved how Clarkson drew on other texts to explain and deepen her points and I found this to be a rich book that I will return to often!

[Tay]

A beautiful book. Powerful imagery on why we are more like trees than computers and why that’s important! I’m between 4 and 5⭐️s. I especially loved how each chapter ended with poetry, fiction, artwork etc to reflect further.
Chapter on sadness was especially powerful and convicting: “in not letting others bear your burdens you are preventing them from the deep joy and calling of fulfilling the law of Christ. To reject others offering to be the love of Christ to you is, in a way, to reject Christ”.

[Carrie]

I enjoyed reading this slowly over the last several weeks, and I'm glad I finally got to it after repeatedly freezing my hold all last year. This was the perfect season for me to read this book. I found the chapters beautiful and encouraging, but they also didn't demand too much of me. At the end of each chapter, she would suggest a few works of art to continue mediating on the theme, such as movies, poetry, songs, or art, and those were really nice. I would like a chance to dip into them more.

[Carrie Crutchfield]

our friend Joy does it again🤩
such a beautifully written book meditating on metaphors found in scripture that can often be overlooked at the measure of depth there. Joy invites the reader to think about these passages from scripture in a new light with the thread of Christ through them all. such a sweet and refreshing read!

[Amanda]

This one took way longer than I usually like to get through. I had a hard time staying engaged and following along, and more than once it put me to sleep. There were a handful of thoughtful quotes and worthwhile ideas sprinkled throughout, but not enough to keep my attention consistently. I'm glad I read it once, but it's not one I'll revisit.

[Amy]

Another amazing book by Joy Clarkson that perhaps I should’ve given five stars. I think it went so philosophical at times that I lost momentum. Plus, I adored her Aggressively Happy book so much that ranked this slightly lower. So 5- or 4+ 😀

[Alexis Johnson]

Not as strong or resonating for me as her first book, Agressively Happy, but still full of good things.

[roh]

my 50th book of the year!

[Shelley]

Joy’s thoughts on biblical metaphors of life and identity helped me think deeply about who God created me to be. I found the book to be very encouraging!

[Mairi]

A really thought-provoking, interesting book. I really enjoyed her insights.