The giant redwood trees of northern California are the tallest trees on earth, some towering 350 feet above the ground. Yet their root system is quite shallow, going down less than 12 feet underground. The shallow roots allow these giant trees to absorb up to 500 gallons of water per day rather than waiting until the rain water has soaked deeper into the ground.

However, with shallow roots the wind could easily knock over such a tall and heavy tree. Therefore the giant redwoods grow in groups, their roots intertwined with one another. For the wind to knock one down would require knocking down the entire group, and thus the trees achieve an incredible stability through storms.

The church is like a stand of giant redwood trees. Rooted together and intertwined with one another, the members of a congregation hold one another in place throughout the storms of life. The church is not a place for private worship of God and a place to come only after you have life figured out. No, this is the place to come when life is hard and things are going badly. The church is the communion of saints, built together to stand against whatever adversity an individual member faces.

If you do not think you have life figured out, if you are struggling with sorrow and loss or confusion or anger, share that trouble with someone at church and let them help you. If you are not connected with other members of your congregation, I urge you to watch for Bible study, social, and small group opportunities and deliberately try to grow your roots into an intertwined system with other Christians. If life is going well for you at the moment, keep your eyes open for people on the margins who need a kind word and encouragement.

It is not good for men and women to be alone. Thank God for unity in Christ and his blessing of fellowship.