When hubby and I purchased our forested piece of property, the front half of the property was divided into two distinct sections: a side road running through the woods … and a paddock (where the former owners had previously grazed their horses).
Hubby and I have been working hard to try to turn the front half of the property back into a single united forest.
In today’s background photo you can see the “road” portion of the forest. Hubby and I have planted baby cedars … but they are still so small they aren’t even noticeable. We’ve moved ferns, transplanted a few Oregon grape plants, and salal sprigs. But on the whole, the “road” area still looks distinctly like a road.
To the left of the photo, you will notice a prominent “dividing wall” of dense ferns, underbrush, and 60’ tall cedar trees. On the other side of this “wall” is the paddock area.
Here you can see a photo of the paddock area.
It does not look anything like the “road” area. This area once used to be grassy … however, Hubby and I have since filled this area in with several years’ worth of fallen big-leaf-maple leaves. And, as you can see in the photo, I have been transplanting a lot of ferns into this area. (all those little clumps of “stick- bunches” are cut-back ferns which I have just recently planted)
The paddock area doesn’t look anything like the “road” area. Running across the background of the photo there is a prominent “dividing wall” of scraggly underbrush, ferns, and trees. On the other side of this “wall” is the “road.”
Our “divided forest” reminds me a lot of the Church.
Jesus Christ came from heaven to earth to pay the penalty for our sin and make a way for us to be able to have a restored relationship with God. Jesus opened up the way to Heaven for us!
If we believe in Jesus Christ and accept His free gift of salvation for our sins, then we are welcomed into God’s family! We have a restored relationship with God … and we are now part of the Church!
There is one Church: all who believe in Jesus Christ and accept His free gift of salvation are the Church. There is one Church. Just like the forested piece of property which hubby and I own … it is one forest.
However, over the years the Church has been divided into distinctly different “camps” … just as the forested piece of property which hubby and I own has been divided into distinctly different parts.
Some people think that the specifics & details of the Faith should be “this” way. They clear an area through the forest, much like the side “road.” Other people disagree … they think the specifics & details of the Faith should be “that” way. These people clear a completely different area through the forest, much like the paddock.
Prominent “dividing walls” have sprung up over the years. These divisions have been reinforced. People have become entrenched in their specifics & details. The divisions within the Church have grown thick … just like the dense “wall” of ferns, underbrush, and trees.
There is one Church. Just like there is one forest. If we believe in Jesus Christ and accept His free gift of salvation for our sins … then we are all part of the same “forest.”
If we are one “forest” … then let’s act like one “forest.”
Let’s not view our own specific area of the “forest” as being the only “forest.” Let’s recognize that the “forest” is big! There are lots of different parts to the “forest” … and that part of the “forest” might not look exactly like this part of the “forest” … and it’s ok! We’re all still part of the same “forest.”
Let’s not put up “dividing walls” … let’s not allow division to spring up between us, like the dense “wall” of brush and ferns.
We are one “forest.” Let’s open our eyes and see the whole “forest”!
It’s a huge “forest” … our teeny, tiny corner isn’t the only all-encompassing thing. God’s family is big! God’s Church is big! Let’s be united … as one … in Christ!
“Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit – just as you were called to one hope when you were called – one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all.” – Ephesians 4:3-6
