In “Entangled Life”, a book on fungi by author Merlin Sheldrake, there is mention of a “downhill” movement of energy that can be seen taking place in all physical systems – a movement from where there is more to where there is less. One example is heat traveling from the hot sun into a cold space. The other is the transfer of resources from larger plants to smaller plants via the underground network of roots and fungi known as the “Wood Wide Web”. Larger plants at the top (the source) tend to have more resources, more developed root systems, and more access to light whereas smaller plants at the bottom (the sink) grow in the shade with less developed roots.
According to Sheldrake, even dying plants can be a source of nutrients. Researchers have observed phosphorus being passed from the roots of dying plants to those of nearby healthy, living plants – the sinks!
In 1 John 2:12-14, the author makes a very subtle but important change in verse 14 in going from present to past tense as he switches from using “write” to “written”. With this switch, he also no longer addresses “little children” as he previously did in verses 12 and 13, only fathers and young men.
Why is that?
Because little children, as it refers to spiritual maturity, are the sink and every resource given to them in that spiritual state is vitality needed for survival because of their inability to capture it on their own. Thank God that our sins are forgiven, but to be the sink at the bottom and remain there means nothing can be passed on to others.
Men of God who practice the truth, please understand that any insignificance we may feel at times in our usefulness to the body of Christ is nothing more than a lie from the enemy. At the very least, the fact we are dead to sin and have a testimony through that death is enough to give a spiritually immature or unsaved brother life – just ask the dying plant.
As we look up, we can all see spiritual trees above us at heights we aspire to achieve, but please remember these sources were once “sinks” too who grew by what was given to them, as we must now do to those looking up to us. Even Jesus was once found in the temple sitting amongst the teachers.
Merlin Sheldrake, Entangled Life: How fungi make our worlds, change our minds & shape our futures, PG. 158
- C. Burn Miller - Filmmaker | Screenwriter
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