This week we examined the crucial role that mother trees play in healthy forests. Mother trees (sometimes referred to as “elder” or “hub” trees) can easily be identified since they are larger than the surrounding trees. As the name suggests, these trees play
an important role of nurturing smaller, younger trees by making subterranean connections with their roots. These connections are used to provide life-sustaining resources such as water, nutrients, and even information. Ephesians 4:11-16 describes something very similar: giftings that Jesus has given to nurture, provide for, and protect His church. Like mother trees, people with these giftings use what they have been given for the benefit of the body.