The Secret Life of Trees

I recently read a book called, “The Hidden Life of Trees” by Peter Wohlleben. In the community of a forest, young trees grow at an alarming rate when they get unlimited amounts of sunlight. So, the more mature (older) trees deliberately limit the amount of light under their crown in order to slow the growth of younger trees so they don’t crowd up the overall canopy. Why? Why are these mother trees so intent on keeping the teenagers in the house for so long? It’s because they want to make sure their root systems go down deep into the ground before they grow up too quickly.

Our lives with Jesus are similar. Paul says in Colossians 2, "you accepted Christ Jesus as your Lord [so] you must continue to follow him. Let your roots grow down into him, and let your lives be built on him. Then your faith will grow strong in the truth you were taught, and you will overflow with thankfulness. Don’t let anyone capture you with empty philosophies and high-sounding nonsense that come from human thinking and from the spiritual powers of this world, rather than from Christ.”

We live in a world where perspectives, thoughts, opinions, and philosophies are attacking us all the time. Call it woke, call it politically correct, call it conservative/liberal; call it whatever you want… but Paul encourages us to get familiar with our faith. Read your Bible to let your roots grow down deep in the scriptures; get familiar with methods of spiritual formation and build your life on them. One of the best ways of receiving support in this is by being discipled and discipling others. As always, visit croad.ca/groups to find out how you can grow closer to Jesus and others!

Pastor Jamie