HIDDEN STRENGTH
THE POWER OF STRONG BIBLICAL COMMUNITY
Coastal Redwoods are the tallest trees in the world, often living for thousands of years. The highest Redwood ever recorded reached 500 feet tall, and weighed over 4 million pounds. Something that tall and heavy must have a root system like no other. In comparison… The foundation of the Empire State Building is 55 feet deep, and the Burj building in Dubai is 164 deep!
Redwood trees DO have a fantastic root system – but not in the way you might think. In actuality, their roots do not go very deep – only 6-12 feet, yet they rarely fall over.
What makes these trees uniquely strong is that their root systems can stretch out up to 100 feet as they interweave and fuse together with the roots of other Redwood trees. They survive best in close communities where they develop an unshakable strength together. Over thousands of years they continue to grow and stand firm through the storms, fires, earthquakes, and droughts. The interwoven roots are their hidden strength. They are literally holding one another up.
IF NOT FOR THE OTHERS
If it were not for other Redwood trees, an individual Redwood tree would not grow very well, and would be more susceptible to fall. And in a similar way, as a follower of Jesus I would not grow very well, and would be more susceptible to fall if it were not for other followers of Jesus.
INTENTIONALLY DESIGNED
The journey through life is full of many highs and lows, twists and turns, triumphs and tragedies. The world doesn’t make it easy to follow Jesus, and everyday life is full of distractions. Staying on course doesn’t just automatically happen. But consider this… Jesus designed His followers to travel together in life. He constructs His Church with the unique gifts and abilities of each individual – woven together in a way only He could design. Like it or not, we are created to need each other.
SOME RESIST CONNECTING
For some, the thought of being woven together is a little unsettling – especially for the lone rangers or those who are more reserved by nature. They don’t see community as a vital part of life – and may even resist the notion of a social club or touchy-feely support system. BUT God doesn’t describe His Church as a social club at all. Biblical community looks more like a football huddle than a board meeting – more like brothers-in-arms than a tea party – more like “Eye of the Tiger” than “Kumbaya.” Check out passages like Hebrews 10:24, Colossians 2:2, and 1 Thessalonians 5:11. Read through the book of Acts. Once you understand what real Biblical Community actually looks like, it is much easier to embrace it.
SOME WILLFULLY DISCONNECT
If you have been in a church for any length of time, you’ve likely discovered that it isn’t a perfect place. Just like family, we don’t always get along, opinions run strong, pride and selfishness create conflict, and the Devil finds dozens of ways to pull apart what God weaves together. The default response is far too often conflict rather than reconciliation – stifling rather than cooperating – stubbornness rather than prayer – separation rather than unity. Often, many within the church close themselves off from other followers of Jesus, or even check out altogether.
THE BOTTOM LINE
If you are planning to follow Jesus for the long haul, then you need other followers of Jesus in your life… and they need you in their lives as well.
If you are a church leader (Small Group Leader, Sunday School Teacher, Pastor, Etc.) make sure you have a clear understanding of true Biblical Community, and lead others to understand and embrace it in its true form.
-Eddie Zdanio
Hebrews 10:24–25
24 Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. 25 And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near. (NLT)
Colossians 2:2-3 & 6-7
2 I want them to be encouraged and knit together by strong ties of love. I want them to have complete confidence that they understand God’s mysterious plan, which is Christ himself. 3 In him lie hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.
6 And now, just as you accepted Christ Jesus as your Lord, you must continue to follow him. 7 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. (NLT)
1 Thessalonians 5:11
So encourage each other and build each other up, just as you are already doing. (NLT)
