UTOT S2E23 — The Forest of Faith: Roots, Water, and Fire

In this episode, Justin and Wendy step into the forest — not just a place of trees and streams, but a living parable for the life of a believer. Together, they unpack the hidden systems that keep a forest alive and show how those same principles reveal the way God sustains His people.
    •    The Canopy and the Roots
The tall trees are the mature believers, standing firm in the faith. But what sustains them is unseen: a vast, interconnected network of roots and mycelium beneath the soil. Just as trees share nutrients, warnings, and life through these hidden threads, so too are believers spiritually connected in Christ.
    •    The Stream and the Oasis
Flowing through the forest is water — the lifeblood of all creation. This becomes a picture of the Trinity: water, steam, and ice are one essence expressed in three forms, just as Father, Son, and Spirit are one God revealed in three persons. Where the water pools, it forms an oasis — a place of refreshing in the midst of trial.
    •    The Fire of Trials
Every few years, the forest endures fire. At first it seems destructive, but fire clears away the choking brambles and dead undergrowth. The ash becomes nourishment for what remains. So too, tribulation purifies the believer. The flames that sting our bark do not consume us, but make us stronger, deeper-rooted, and better able to shelter others.
    •    The Interconnected Body
Just as no tree thrives alone, no believer walks alone. The Spirit has woven us together, underground and unseen, into one body. Our trials, our refreshing, and our growth are all shared in Him.

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✨ In this conversation, Justin and Wendy use the language of the forest to make the unseen spiritual world visible. By looking at roots, rivers, and refining fires, they show believers how to recognize God’s design in creation and apply it to their walk of faith.