Oct 15, 2024
Giant redwoods are the most massive individual trees on earth. The redwood can grow to 270 feet tall and 25 feet in diameter. You might think that something that huge must have an incredible root system that goes down deep in order to stand that tall. This is not the case at all. The redwood tree has no tap root and remarkably shallow roots—only five or ten feet deep.
It seems to violate the laws of physics that they can stay upright for hundreds – even thousand – of years. That is, until you know one more fact: the redwoods grow in thick groves because their shallow roots are intertwined, and over time, fused together. They start out as individuals and become one with others as they mature and grow.
So, beneath the surface of these incredible statuesque trees are roots like an army of men who have their arms interlocked and supporting each other. They are preventing the adversaries of life from knocking each other down.
In our divisive culture, the image of unity as displayed by the
redwood trees seems like a mirage. However, this is exactly what
the church is supposed to be! A group of diverse people, standing
together as one--an image unlike anything our culture can
muster.
Yet, more often then not the church fails to live up to this
standard of unity. What divides our culture seems to find its way
into the church and splinters Jesus followers into different
groups. How can we overcome our differences and live as one?
Acts chapter six tells of a potential situation which threatens to
tear the church in Jerusalem apart. Jesus' followers obediently
follow his teachings and the problem is solved, the differences are
healed and the church multiplies!
To learn how to utilize these principles in your life and in our
church give a listen to part 8 of...To The Ends of the
Earth.