The sequoia redwood trees located in California, are some of the biggest trees in the world.  Reaching up to 275 feet tall, they have rather shallow roots in comparison to their height.  The width of their roots, however, is quite impressive.  With some extending out 100 feet, their roots intertwine with those of the other surrounding redwood trees.  They have no tap root to anchor it to the earth;  their strength and stability comes from their community.  All like minded, with the same purpose….pointing each other to the sun.

The older I get, the more nature fascinates me.  There are many spiritual lessons tucked away in our everyday surroundings that can not only point us to Christ, but can also point us to one another as well.  And the enemy loves nothing more than to separate us from both.  Whether it be from daily frustrations or a painful past, we can quickly find ourselves secluded and licking our wounds.  We somehow convince ourselves that we are better off this way.  But the truth is, our walk with Christ is strengthened in numbers.  There is power in corporate worship and assembling with other believers.  There is joy and comfort when we commune with “trees” just like us.  There is a beautiful surrender when we look beyond our personal growth and see the value of the forrest.

“Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works.  And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near.”

Hebrews 10:24-25

As believers, we make up the body of Christ.  And the wonderful thing is, whether you are the arm or the big toe, you are equally as important.  We are all needed to complete the work that Christ has set before us. And when we allow ourselves to be vulnerable and close to one another, our roots can then intertwine and establish a lasting foundation.  That when the enemy huffs and puffs, we barely even notice.  That when one of our brothers or sisters is lacking, we can lift them up and encourage them to continue to stand.  And that when the rain comes or the fire gets closer, we can tap into the ultimate source of our every need.  We can rest knowing that we are surrounded by a community full of grace and support, serving a higher purpose than ourselves.

It’s funny how in some of the lowest points of my own life, the Lord has directed me to pray for someone else or help someone in need.  And the amazing thing is, it actual lifted my spirit.  I strongly believe that we reap what we sow; and it’s in those crucial, dark moments that we determine our forecast for the days ahead.  When we fix our eyes on the Kingdom of God and His will, our agenda takes a backseat and we are free to do the Father’s work.  Our focus is no longer on our own pain, but we recognize the world around us and how we can help.  I am more persuaded now than ever, that our time on earth is short but the work ahead of us is great.  And when we link arms and commit to lifting one another up, Christ can move on our behalf.  We serve a big God who is able to do more than we can imagine.  My prayer is that we will each take our rightful place in the body and in our communities, realizing who we are in Jesus.  With wide roots and tall branches, we are growing to be more like Him.

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