ROOTED TOGETHER , IN UNITY
The redwoods and sequoias , giants as old as time , do not grow deep roots . Instead , they branch out not too far beneath the ground ’ s surface and entangle with each other ’ s , designed to hold one another up in the brutal storms . These trees do not stand alone , but grow in clumps , their livelihood dependent on each other . Cut a tree down and you can read its whole story in the naked wound inscribed in the disc of its trunk , in the rings of its years : its scars , struggles , suffering , joy , love , breakthroughs , and the attacks endured .
We are no different from these trees ; called to be still , knowing that a force greater than ourselves is the life that brings us to life , and causes us to grow from something as small as a seed . We are not designed to stand alone in our singularity . We are called to bind ourselves together , as we find ourselves in each other ; our stories weaved into a spectacular tapestry since the beginning of time . The dark afflictions do not fall upon us alone . The woman who bled for 12 years suffered in shame , until her faith touched the hem of the One who made her well ( Mark 5:25 – 29 ). This same faith distinguishes our yes from no , even for Noah , Abraham and Sarah , Moses , King David , the prophets and the disciples who all came before us . Their story is our story because we , too , have seen from afar what hope , peace , light and love is — the power , glory and holiness beneath the world ’ s lost face . The story from darkness to light , from pain to purpose , from despair to hope belongs to us , and it will lift up another .
What then stands between us if we are called to rejoice with those who rejoice , and mourn with those who mourn ( Romans 12:15 ); to act justly , to love mercy and to walk humbly ( Micah 6:8 )? Do not shy away from the truth of knowing whose you are , for those of us who have seen in the face of our Lord , our final home , our Kingdom and King , must rise and welcome to His table the lost ones and the mad ones , just as He remembered the good thief who cried , “ Remember me , Jesus . Remember me ” ( Luke 23:42 ). Remember them , honour them , just as we will remember and honour each other . Honour others for who they are , do not trip over who they are not , and seek out the gold that is in them . Stay close , for scattered lights will never be brighter than a city that bands together ; a city on a hill that cannot be hidden . Only together , will we rise to be the Church that our King has called us to become . We belong to Him , and for King and country , united we will be .
We would like to thank everyone who contributed their stories – their lives – to this publication , for the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy ( Revelation 19:10 ), and without which , we would have no story to tell .
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