Trees thrive together in communities. A natural forest is a single unity, it’s one whole living organism. This tree is an outlier, separated from its kin. People thrive in healthy families and communities. But each of us must also know to stand alone .
God calls Christians to love one another as a healthy family. He calls us to function together as one body, with Christ as our head. Yet our love for God and relationship with Him is intensely personal. Our decisions to follow or reject His Word are our own. Jesus drew apart to pray, Jesus drew close to others to love and serve.
When I painted this tree, I felt the loneliness of an outlier. Yet the tree is surrounded by peace—and though the waters may be a bit choppy and the skies may be darkening, the shore across the waters shines with gold.
The peace that Christ gives is to guide you in the decisions you make; for it is to this peace that God has called you together in the one body. And be thankful.
Colossians 3: 15 Good News Translation
