Priestly Pens: Encouragement for Christian Writersনমুনা

Standing Tall Together

A few years ago, we had the opportunity to visit Redwood National Park in northern California. I remember walking through forests blanketed by lush ferns growing around these gentle giants that seemed to touch the sky. Imagine the Creator of those trees!

Some facts about redwood trees …

• ·Redwoods can grow as tall as 400 feet.
• ·The oldest redwood is thought to be over 3,200 years old and is known as the “President.”
• ·Some are wide enough for a car (like ours) to drive through.
• ·Redwood roots only go about 7 to 8 feet deep but can be spread out over 100 feet.
• ·These roots are intertwined with other redwoods, which allows them to remain stable even through strong storms.
• ·A redwood cone can produce 150 to 250 seeds, with each seed only the size of a tomato seed. That’s about the size of the head of a matchstick.

Like the redwood, our books also begin with a seed idea. God then waters that seed, and it continues to grow into something we could have hardly imagined.

Redwoods are rugged trees. Some have deep grooves in the bark. Others have been struck by lightning. Many still stand after being partially burned by a fire, while heavy winds have blown over others.

Kingdom writers are a rugged breed. Many of us have been battered by various life elements, yet we still stand tall with the Lord’s strength.

“These trials will show that your faith is genuine. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold—though your faith is far more precious than mere gold. So when your faith remains strong through many trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honor on the day when Jesus Christ is revealed to the whole world.” – 1 Peter 1:7 (NLT)

Though Peter didn’t have trees in mind when he penned those words, this is what I call redwood faith!

Within these redwood forests lie trees that have toppled over due to old age. I became a kid again as I jumped on one of these sleeping giants before walking perhaps fifty feet down its aged trunk.

Many of these fallen trees even have new saplings from hollowed sections. These dead warriors still give life to young redwoods through their decomposed bark.

There will be a time when you and I will ‘topple over’ due to old age, but we can continue giving life through our books and writings. Imagine God fertilizing the faith of those coming after us with the writings He inspires through us.

“Remember your leaders who taught you the word of God. Think of all the good that has come from their lives, and follow the example of their faith.” – Hebrews 13:7 (NLT)

Gazing up at a lone redwood tree can take your breath away by itself, but a forest of these natural skyscrapers is utterly spectacular. Similarly, a lone Christian writer can produce impressive stuff. Still, it’s a beautiful thing to be part of a forest of Kingdom writers with all of our diversity, styles, stories, and varying backgrounds.

We can lean on one another as the storms of life hit. Perhaps our writings will influence others to look up and give glory to our great God!

Reflection: As a Christian author, do you have others to lean on when the storms of life hit? We consider our Christian Book Academy like a redwood forest of Kingdom writers.

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