STAND TOGETHER
PHILIPPIANS 2:3-4
"Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others." With everyone looking out for everyone else's interests more than their own, no one would be in need.
In this morning devotional at Rushing Wind Camp in NW Ontario, Arnie Wolf shared about some trees he had planted nearly 20 years ago.
First, there was one single tree that was planted by itself and it was under 12" in diameter. A short distance away there is a grouping of 3 trees that were all planted together... these 3 trees are all over 20" in diameter.
All of the trees are the same age and have received the same amount of rain... what causes the difference in growth?
I believe that there are a couple of reasons... the 3 birch trees that grow together share in the same root system and that root system is most likely far wider and deeper, making it stronger. Also the group of 3 trees protect one another from the stresses when storms come up against them. They are holding each other up with the protection of others around them and they are stressed less, helping them grow better and stronger. Lastly, the grouping of trees are at the bottom on a hill, where run off of rain and snow carries nutrients off of the hill to them.
This is a great example of the importance of life of an individual, especially Christian individuals. When we gather together with like minded people (people with a heart for Jesus Christ), we are protected from storms. It'd like the musk ox on the artic tundra. A loan musk ox can not stand against predators or against driving winds and blizzards. But a group puts there bodies together and faces the storms and predators together.
A group of Christians, with their roots firmly set on God's word can stand and grow together, especially when they are being fed quality spiritual nutrition.
Standing alone is a hard place to be. When the storms come you stand to be toppled. When the predators come, your bound to be devoured.
Surround yourself with those that are rooted together and feeding one another. STAND TOGETHER
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