PODCAST
Grounded, Growing, Overflowing
June 12th, 2013
Colossians 2:6-15
The largest trees in the world grow in northern California. Some of these giant Sequoias are over 300 feet tall and more than 30 feet in diameter. Most trees have root systems roughly equal in size to their tops. But those of redwoods are surprising small and shallow. To survive and thrive, they grow closely together in groves. In clusters, their roots become interwoven. Only togetherness allows them to reach such massive proportions.
English makes no distinction between “you” referring to one person or to a group of people. In Greek, the apostle’s call to continuous growth as Christians is clearly not just for a few Sequoia Saints. It is for “y’all” (2:6; see 1:5-14).
God provides all the spiritual resources we need to grow up “to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ” (Ephesians 4:13).
But like Sequoias, we must embrace God’s gift of the church. Our roots are too shallow to live alone. Together we are encouraged, intertwined, strengthened, and stabilized (see Romans 15:5-6).
Author: George Lyons
June 12th, 2013 at 6:45 am
Wow! What a lesson is this! I think it should be printed in every church bulletin.
June 12th, 2013 at 10:24 am
I had never thought that the Christian’s life was represented by the giant Sequoias but I can see how our lives are intertwined like the giant trees roots are linked together. We truly are linked together in Christ like the giant trees roots. Praise Good.
June 13th, 2013 at 10:38 pm
The aspen tree (from which aspirin is derived) root system is maybe a better example of the Christian community. They typically grow in large clonal colonies (derived from a “single” seedling) and spread by a suckering “root” system.
June 14th, 2013 at 8:36 am
Natural medicine states that the aspen tree has “healing” properties!
June 14th, 2013 at 9:04 am
The aspen tree is an “evergreen” tree that is a gymnosperm (naked seed) tree.
June 15th, 2013 at 7:50 am
Correction: Sequoia trees are an evergreen tree that is a gymnosperm (naked seed tree).