The picture is of a scientific research centre in Arizona, US, called Biosphere 2. It was built to replicate the environment we live in to enable the study of plant living systems and the effects upon them of pollution etc. The Biosphere being enclosed enables the scientists to alter the environmental conditions within to see what effect it would have on the plants.
One of the most important and interesting discoveries was something which they had not looked for – the need for wind!
The trees they planted grew well in this enclosed environment and grew much faster than normal but before they could fully mature, they fell over! The scientists had overlooked something in the design of their enclosed environment – wind. They discovered that wind has a vital role in the development of trees. As the tree begins to grow and is blown around by the wind and storms it puts down roots, this slows the growth upward, but the hidden growth of the root downwards is essential for stability. The wind swaying the tree also causes the structure of the wood to alter and ‘stress wood’ develops within the trunks and branches allowing the trees to grow towards light and sometimes leaning or curving over without falling or collapse. The wind makes the trees stronger. The trees in Biosphere 2 were found to have much softer wood than those in the natural environment.
A life without trials would be like living in the storm free Biosphere 2. It may seem attractive to us not to have trials and live without ‘storms’ of trouble but it’s not what God has ordered for His children. They must be brought to prayer and faith. If religion springs up fast and is never tested what roots will be established? If the root of our religion is not established how long can we stand? If faith remains untested throughout our lives how strong will it be at our death – that final great test of faith?
Paul in his letter to the Colossians writes in ch2 v6 & 7 ‘As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him: Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving.’
How vital to be planted by God and not man. To grow in grace and knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ. To be spiritually established in living and proving the promises in God’s word.
Jesus gave a solemn warning to His disciples concerning the Pharisees who were offended at His word – ‘But he answered and said, Every plant, which my heavenly Father hath not planted, shall be rooted up.’ Matthew ch15 v13
They were planted but not by God – they had a religion but not one given by God.
Our wisdom would remove all obstacles and difficulties from the path of life – but God’s wisdom orders them all – because they are all needed. Prayer is made earnest because of them, faith is increased by them, may Christ Jesus be revealed to us in them!
‘That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man; That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God.’ Ephesians ch3 v16-19