A Reminder of the Importance of Unity in the Body of Christ
Mighty oaks are a sight to see. Tall and straight, strong and seemingly invincible, they house the birds, they work to clean the air, and they provide shade and shelter from storms and blazing heat. They drop hundreds of acorns, seeds that when falling on fertile soil will sprout and grow into tender shoots.
The mighty oaks’ roots go deep into the soil, soaking up vital minerals and pure, unpolluted water, growing taller and straighter and mightier still.
Those tender shoots grow best when watered and protected from wild animals that would eat them or worms or bugs that would devour them. The mighty oak can (and should) shelter the tender shoots, protecting them from fierce winds and damaging heat and pummeling hail.
Through nature God has provided beautiful examples for us to follow as Christians. Those of us who have matured and continue maturing in His Spirit and in His Word are the mighty oaks; those who are new to the faith, the tender shoots. The mighty oaks have the responsibility to protect and nurture the tender shoots, guarding them from the “elements” that would beat them down, chew them up, and destroy them. We, the mighty oaks are to come alongside those tender shoots and exemplify what it is to be mighty in God’s strength, discipling them through our actions, our attitudes, and our words. Lifting them up in prayer, holding them up with our own resources if needed, as Aaron and Hur held up Moses’ arms during the siege in Exodus 17. We are to encourage them and if or when they fail, we are to lovingly admonish and restore them, not pull them up by the roots like weeds.
Why is it that we are so prone to weeding out those tender shoots when they are just being tender shoots? Weren’t we tender shoots at one time?
As Christians we bear a huge responsibility for those seedlings, saplings, and shoots around us. But too often, we get puffed up in our mightiness…forgetting Who it is that has made us tall and strong and mighty, and for what purpose He has done so. And the sad thing is, none of us are immune to that possibility or temptation. Each of us have our areas of pride. But we are not called to be proud. We are called to be humble servants, and when we forget that, our God loves us enough to discipline us. Occasionally a mighty oak will be pruned and will grow stronger and straighter still. But, sadly, sometimes even mighty oaks fall prey to lightning or disease. And yes, sometimes even the mighty oak will dry up and die. But even then, as it decomposes in the soil its death serves future shoots and seedlings, because “…we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.” Romans 8:28 (NASB).
[A word of warning: At the same time, let us also be careful not to rejoice in the felling of those mighty oaks, but only in the awesome power of our God to redeem even the most painful situations for His glory.]
Our purpose is both simple and difficult. All the more reason why we need each other. God has called us to unity in the body to glorify Himself and to fulfill His purposes through us. “Jesus said…, "Any kingdom divided against itself is laid waste; and any city or house divided against itself will not stand.” Matthew 12:25 (NASB) We cannot crush the tender shoots around us and expect to fulfill God’s calling or purpose for our lives. It’s an amazing thing, but we need those tender shoots, and if we crush them, we too shall fall.
I leave you with Jesus’ prayer for us in John 17. May His words penetrate all our hearts as we seek to serve Him in that to which He has called us.
"I do not ask on behalf of these alone,
but for those also who believe in Me through their word;
that they may all be one; even as You,
Father, are in Me and I in You, that they also may be in Us,
so that the world may believe that You sent Me.” John 17:20, 21 (NASB)
