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In every forest, there is a hub tree, aka, a Mother Tree. These trees are often the oldest in the forest and use their vast, deep connections to the other trees in their ecosystem to share their resources and help the smaller, younger trees survive as they push toward the light of the sun. This well-connected network is vital to the survival of saplings and younger trees as they all must share resources in the struggle to make it to the next day, to soak in the sun despite the shadows that might be blocking their leaves from that crucial light.
Why Deep Connections are Essential
Deep connections are critical in our walk with Christ in much the same way as the Mother Tree’s connections are to the rest of the trees in the forest, whether veteran or sapling. Young or old, being in fellowship with other Christians is essential; it’s what we were created to do. Through Christian fellowship, we share faith, we encourage one another, we rejoice when others rejoice, and mourn when they mourn. We carry one another’s burdens, we encourage each other, we build one another up instead of tearing each other down. We love one another and hold one another accountable. Our love for our Heavenly Father and the Son He sent us binds us together, sharing in His blessings and His goodness like the forest shares its life-giving nutrients.
How Deep Connections Can be Made
This doesn’t have to be intricate or complex, either. Deep connections can be shared in the most simple and humble of gatherings. After all, Jesus gathered with His closest friends in boats, homes, and hillsides. So gather. Gather in a home. Gather in a park or a church or a driveway. Gather in a store. Gather under the sun or the stars. Gather online.
Bless the place you’re in by sharing one another’s company. Gather in laughter, in games, in tears, in singing. No matter what you are doing, as long as you are doing it together, honoring God as you do it, the connections you build—the roots that twine together you and your fellow Christians—will be binding. All of it will bring the Lord so much joy.
What Does the Bible Say?
Jesus said in John 13:34, “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another.”
Paul wrote in Colossians 3:16, “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God.”
Philippians 2:1 says, “So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind.”
Because we all form one body—trees with inextricably linked roots—share in the deep connection of Christian fellowship and the nutrients that brings. No matter our differences, no matter our conflicts or our opinions, we are all one under Christ’s love and sacrifice. We will always have that in common. We all love and serve the same God. Gathering closer to one another brings us even closer to Him and His precious Son.
Listen now to a short segment of this Abide meditation that I wrote based on 1 John 2:3. See how building deep connection with God forms the foundation of all other relationships in your life.
A Prayer for Deep Connections
Consider praying this prayer: “Lord, help me to find those around me who would bring me closer to You, who uphold Your Word, who sing Your praises, and who follow You in faith and love. Help me bring You into and honor You in every situation, big or small. Be in my voice as I sing my favorite songs. Be in my feet as I dance, in my hands as I hold the hands of my friends, in my heart as it beats through every moment of every day.
Help me find the people You shaped to be in my life, and whose lives I am shaped to be in. Thank You for blessing me with this massive community of fellow believers, with whom I will always be linked to through our deep connection to You. Help our roots grow deep and our faith and connection grow even deeper. In Your Son’s name, amen.”
Let Abide be your daily companion as you seek to make deep connections with your friends in the faith. Our more than 1500 biblical meditations, like the one above, all exist to help you grow closer to God. The more you love Him, the better you can love others. Download the app and start a premium subscription to unlock our entire library of content. Use this link for 25% off.
Morgan Reeves is a junior at the University of Central Florida where she is majoring in Creative Writing. She lives in Florida with her family and their two cats, Stella and Luna.
