Lessons from Nature
by Barrett Vanlandingham

It is amazing how God’s written word and God’s creation are a reflection of each other. Take for instance lessons on unity. Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 teaches about the advantages of teamwork when it comes to getting a job done, and when it comes to taking care of each other when times get tough. Verse 12 says, “Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.”
We’ve all seen firsthand the devastation that has taken place because of the ice-storm. Even trees that had been there for 100-years were no match for the freezing rain. But look closely at the picture below taken by Terry Hackworth. It’s a grove of tall pine trees planted and grown closely together. Despite the fact that many other strong and beautiful trees which stood nearby, proud and alone, were destroyed, these trees were able to bear the burden. What made the difference here? Unity.
Galatians 6:2 says, “Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.” You see, when we help each other, good things happen. Ephesians 4:11-16 tells us that service leads to unity, and that unity leads to spiritual maturity, and that maturity brings us closer to the fullness of Christ. Verse 14 says, “Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of men in their deceitful scheming.” We learn here that making the mistake of unifying under the doctrines of men inevitably leads to a spiritual shipwreck. Let us all strive to follow the one and only Gospel (Galatians 1:6) and as we keep the unity of the Spirit (Ephesians 4:3).

Then all the trees of the forest will sing for joy;
they will sing before the Lord, for he comes to judge the earth.
Psalm 96:12b