On a recent visit to the forest…
As we walked into Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park in California last month, our eyes moved naturally from the rugged root system to the leaves more than 300 feet above us. Inspired! Astounded! We reached out to feel the soft thick bark. Before we knew it, we were learning from the park rangers and the trees all around us. We found our special quiet place to sit in wonder and remember the cross, considering all that Jesus has done for us as we communed with our Texas friends, Peter and Joan Heffner.
We started looking for a place one of these huge trees had been cut down to attempt to count the rings as we were reading that some of these trees had been around since Jesus was born, yes, 2000 years! Since last month in Poland we had studied the lessons of living between two trees (the tree of LIFE in Genesis and in Revelations) our imaginations ran wild as we learned more from our surroundings, so here are a few of the lessons from the trees.
Redwood trees get water through a combination of absorbing moisture from coastal fog with their leaves and pulling groundwater up from their shallow root systems. They can take in roughly 30% to 40% of their yearly water needs straight from the air during dry summer months. (source NPS)
Trees drink from the air – think about how important this is during dry summers!! I had never heard of this before!!?? You’ve got to check this out: https://youtube.com/shorts/Q67JsTbQ2pM?si=9lrCc52ySv6V42TH
So what are the lessons for us:
- Streams of living water flow from within us “Anyone who believes in” the Christ (John 7:38) “may come and drink! Check this out: “Rivers of living water will flow from his heart.” Drink deeply and refresh others!
- Fellowship is critical to survival! We must have community to thrive. In spite of the diameter of the tree below, in order to remain standing and alive, this tree must interlock its roots with those near by.
NO Tap Root?!
As we visited northern California in mid-July, standing among “titans” in our “cathedral” of the forest, one of the most surprising finds is that Redwoods have NO taproot! They can be overturned/uprooted by a strong coastal wind even though they have grown 300+feet tall! WOW! Imagine!! Lots to chew on. The way redwoods survive and stay standing/withstanding the storm is by interlocking their root system in a grove or circle! Think “fellowship” of the ring in a different way!!
Ask the Lord: “What are You growing in me that I cannot yet fully see?”
You may even want to write down three “tastes of heaven” you’ve experienced recently. They don’t have to be dramatic. Often, God’s Kingdom arrives quietly, in ordinary moments filled with extraordinary grace.
Thoughts from Aubri Casey -https://www.traininternational.org/
“A shoot will come up from the stump of Jesse; from his roots a Branch will bear fruit.” (Isaiah 11:1)
Here and in the verses to follow Isaiah gives us a beautiful picture of hope! …
Tiny foretastes of the world God is restoring.
These are tastes of heaven.
Stop…& think — A Reflection Practice This week, spend a few moments with Isaiah 11:1–9. As you read slowly, notice what captures your attention. Then ask yourself:
Where have I seen new life growing from an unexpected place?
Where have I experienced peace, restoration, or reconciliation recently?
What has given me a taste of God’s coming Kingdom?
Where do I see hope taking root?
If you’re able, take a walk and find a tree. Notice its roots, its branches, its steady presence.
