The giant redwood tree. People travel great distances to see the majesty of the redwood trees. There are a few interesting facts about the redwoods. Redwoods do not have a single deep taproot. Their roots are typically only 6 to 12 feet deep, this considered quite shallow compared to their massive size; they instead spread horizontally for a large distance, sometimes up to 100 feet from the trunk, intertwining with the roots of other redwoods in a grove. This intertwined root system provides stability to these mighty trees that helps the trees survive strong winds and floods. They quite literally hold one another down. Young redwoods survive by the roots of parent trees that help nourish the young redwoods that sprout from them. So when you look at a redwood forest, know that they are holding each other up.
That’s what the church does. Our roots are intertwined to help hold us up in storms of life. When storms of life hit us and the floods rise, we can survive because we are connected to one another. We also help the young believers grow and gain strength.
My Daddy told me a story about something my Grandpa taught him. He had him grab a stick and then break it. He then grabbed multiple sticks the same size and told him to try and break them. He could not. The lesson was if you stick together you’ll have strength.
Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 (ISV) 9 Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor. 10 If they stumble, the first will lift up his friend—but woe to anyone who is alone when he falls and there is no one to help him get up. 11 Again, if two lie close together, they will keep warm, but how can only one stay warm? 12 If someone attacks one of them, the two of them together will resist. Furthermore, the tri-braided cord is not soon broken.
You see we are the body of Christ and the body isn’t supposed to be divided. We are supposed to Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ (Galatians 6:2 KJV). We’re supposed to stick together, to gain strength from each other.
Colossians 2:6-7 KJV 6 As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him: 7 Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving.
1 Peter 3:8 ISV Finally, all of you must live in harmony, be sympathetic, love as brothers, and be compassionate and humble.