Steadfast Sequoias

"Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing." - James 1:2-3

My husband and I recently had the awesome experience of walking among sequoia trees in California. We wandered the groves, completely in awe of these silent giants, many with trunks stained black where wildfire had passed through.

As we read signs throughout the national park, we learned that sequoias need fire to grow as large as they do. Forest rangers now even burn "prescribed fires," which eliminate spindly overgrowth and create sunlit patches for sequoias to continue growing strong and tall. They also create space for young sequoias to take root.

The metaphor here is so clear that I won't spell it out. Instead, I'll share the verse that came to mind while learning about the sequoias: James 1:2-3 - " Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing." Another word for steadfast is "immovable" or "firm in belief, determination, or adherence." Many sequoia trees stand at an elevation of over six thousand feet in fine and ashy soil, but they don't use their conditions as an excuse to stop growing. Despite what we might view as a poor environment, the sequoias never cease striving to touch the sky. I pray I can follow their example as I pursue the Lord, no matter what fires I encounter.