Redwood trees can grow to be ginormous in height, some over 384 feet! That is taller than a football field! One may think that in order to grow so tall, it must have extremely deep roots. In reality, the redwoods have very shallow roots.
If they have such shallow roots, how do they withstand strong winds? What keeps such a large tree from falling over?
You will never find a redwood standing alone. They will always be in a cluster, or a forest, of many other redwood trees. While their roots do not grow deep, they grow wide, and intertwine with the roots of the other redwoods surrounding it. As a result, the trees help support each other, and hold each other up.
This month, our focus will be on being rooted in community. Just like those redwoods, we were not meant to live life alone. God created us for relationship, to live in community. And this is most beautifully lived out in Christian community, in the body of Christ. Psalm 133:1 says, "How good and pleasant it is when brothers live together in unity!" Are you actively involved in Christian community? Do you have that support system, those people who can love and support you, that can help hold you up in hard times, and encourage you to wholeheartedly pursue Christ? Are you intertwined with others? Living in intentional community will be messy at times, but God knows we need this. Over the next month, we will explore what it looks like to live in healthy community, and to bear fruit in our relationships.
Thank you for allowing us to partner with you in growing extraordinary students who love God, love people and make disciples! I pray that you would cultivate intentional community within your lives and homes!