Trees united through their intertwined roots
"I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power,
together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is
the love of Christ." (Eph 3:17-18 NIV)
The Inside Passage of Alaska has the highest annual rainfall averages in the
country. Ketchikan, for example, receives 150 inches of precipitation annually,
close to three times Juneau's total, and ten times of what Anchorage receives.
But no town gets more rain than Little Port Walter with averages of 220 inches!
Rubber boots seems to be the most popular shoe, and they are worn so frequently
that they're called "Alaska tennis shoes" and "Sitka slippers".
Snowfall isn't any better, ranging from 36.9 inches in Ketchikan to 122.6 inches
in Haines. Someone in Juneau told me they got up to 150 mile an hour winds in
the winter. The Internet only recorded winds up to 41 miles per hour, however
this is still significant!
Let's imagine for a moment that you are a tree. (I could think of far worse
comparisons!) The soil in most coastal areas is only two to six inches deep. Not
much for even ideal climates, but combine this with heavy precipitation and
strong winds, and one can only wonder how trees can survive in such hostile
environments.
It is true that some fall down, especially in the wintertime, but many remain
standing tall, facing the inclement weather with confidence. What is the secret
to their success? Their root systems are intertwined with one another. The more
roots a tree has that are intertwined with other trees, the more the tree can
resist the challenges of the weather. The weather does not phase them because
there is confidence and strength in unity.
The same is true for us. If we face hostilities on our own, these turbulences
will eventually tear us down. Only by being intertwined by faith with our
families and friends, with fellow believers, and especially with our Forever
Friend, can we stand tall and face the storms of our life. We can't make it on
our own!
May we learn to depend more and more on Jesus and on our fellow believers so
that we can face the challenges of life with a smile. The storms of life are
learning opportunities! Instead of bringing us down, they can lift us higher and
higher in our dependence upon the One who can calm turbulent waters!
"But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called Today, so that none of
you may be hardened by sin's deceitfulness." (Heb 3:13 NIV)
"Thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ." (1
Cor 15:57 NIV)
Are you on the verge of being uprooted? Get intertwined with Jesus. Become
involved in a fellowship of believers. Together you can be victorious!
Rob Chaffart
The Illustrator: This daily newsletter is dedicated to encouraging
everyone to look towards Jesus as the source of all the solutions to our
problems. It contains a daily inspirational story, a Bible verse and encouraging
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The Nugget: Published three times a week, this newsletter features inspirational devotionals and mini-sermons dedicated to drawing mankind closer to each other and to Christ.