“Stand tall … Marines!” There was a slight pause before the drill instructor uttered the word “Marine,” making a pronouncement all of us had been waiting for.

It was graduation day at Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego, and all the platoons in our series were lined up on the parade deck for the graduation ceremony. Over the course of our 13 weeks of Boot Camp, we had been called many things by our drill instructors. “Scumbag,” “dip stick,” and “momma’s boy” come to mind, along with many others I can’t repeat here!

I can tell you that every backbone in that platoon stiffened when the word “Marine” was uttered. We were standing tall!

Pride is a two-edged sword — it cuts in both directions. On the one hand, we all desire to be respected by our peers, family, and friends. On the other hand, Scripture tells us, “Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall” (Proverbs 16:18, ESV). So, as Christians, where do we find the balance?

My thoughts go back to graduation day. Our platoon of Marines consisted of young men from across America with differing backgrounds, socioeconomic conditions, and ethnic groups. Over the course of 13 weeks, we set aside personal ambition, biases, and individuality, and applied ourselves to the task of becoming one team working for a common purpose — to graduate as United States Marines. The rugged individualist — the ball hog, if you will — does not last long in that environment.

I learned something interesting a few months ago, and it had to do with the majestic Redwood trees found in the Northwest Pacific coastal areas. They are the very definition of “standing tall,” reaching several hundred feet in the air. That made the following excerpt from Leadership Development coach Molly Grisham’s blog all the more intriguing: “The Redwoods have a unique root system that typically goes just 6-12 feet deep. How is it possible that these trees rarely fall over?”

Grisham continues: “The Redwoods stay standing because their shallow roots intertwine with the roots of the other redwood trees. They are literally holding each other up. The trees grow in close proximity to each other so they can share nutrients and physically support each other. Beneath the surface their roots look like one massive system. It’s as if they are saying, ‘we are in this together, we are one, if you want to knock one of us down, you’ll have to knock us all down.’ Their roots provide strength, and their strength lies in their connection with each other.”

As Christian men and women warriors, God desires us to “stand tall” in the midst of the declining culture surrounding us. But we don’t do that as “Lone Ranger” Christians. We do it in brotherhood (and sisterhood) as Paul instructed the Corinthian believers. “I appeal to you, brothers, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and the same judgment” (1 Corinthians 1:10).

Like the mighty Redwood forests, Christians in unity and fellowship with each other entwine their spiritual roots, drawing strength and spiritual sustenance from one another.

Let me ask: Are you standing tall today? If not, maybe it’s time to get connected to brothers (or sisters) in Christ so that, in unity and fellowship, you are standing tall for King Jesus!

What say ye, Man of Valor?
Semper Fidelis!