The other day, I happened upon this obscure word that immediately brought to mind an urgent need within the church (and a tree I once saw in Arizona).

The Organism

We followers of Jesus are God’s created beings who trust in the restorative work of the Creator. We believe that the One who has spoken all things to life also gives of Himself to see that death would have no great sway over the eternal course of that which He calls His own – and He calls the church His own, His beloved.

We are to be a living organism in this world. Scripture speaks of this strange and diverse collective of men and women as the Body of Christ (1 Corinthians 12:27), as the Bride of Christ (Revelation 19:7), and as a spiritual house built up with living stones (1 Peter 2:4-5). We are to be organic, active, and growing. We are to be sensitive, responsive, and adaptive. We are to be living and giving life. We are to exist with a purpose and with a passion.

The Obstacles

Of course, in this fallen world, where there is life, death will be not far removed. The church will encounter hindrances. There will be trials. There will even be torment and despair. We will be attacked. Will need to nurse wounds from those without and from ailments within. We may find ourselves facing weariness. The land about us may parch.

It is vital that we remain alert and sensitive to that which environs us. Only to great detriment do we shrug off any hint of our adversarial foes or of the swing of the seasons.

The Overcoming

How do we followers of Jesus grow to overcome such obstacles that greet us in this day and age? What response will we make to the necessary changes that must accompany our overcoming?

Whatever course for growth must be taken by the church, let us remember that this growth must issue forth from strong roots (Colossians 2:6-9). It is in Christ we must remain. In Jesus, the source of all life, we must abide (John 15:1-8). In all, we know and hold to the assurance that Christ has overcome (John 16:33). We hope in a God who has promised a day when His glory shall be wholly revealed (Isaiah 40:5), when healing will come in full (Revelation 22:1-5), and when life stretches on into an eternity (John 6:47).