Standing in a forest of giants

“Sentinel” Tree rises above the canopy, standing sentry as the 26th largest tree in Giant Forest, within Sequoia National Park. The Giant Sequoia, the world’s largest tree, displays a massive trunk. “Sentinel,” one of those giants, is 2,174 years old; which means that it started growing around 150 A.D.. (1)

A.D. 150 was the same year that Ptolemy’s Geography, the earliest atlas, was created. Only thirty years later, Emperor Marcus Aurelius dies. Twenty-four years earlier, the Roman Pantheon was built. Only fifty years earlier, the Gospel of John was written.

“Super Trees: Climbing a Giant Sequoia”

Visionary Sentinels

Like the Giant Sequoias, there are visionary “Sentinels” —people who see differently because of certain unique features:

The reach of a Sentinel is expansive. A Giant Sequoia’s reach extends out and up due to its colossal growth. The actual tree, “Sentinel,” has a girth of 25.1 feet across, which is two African elephants stacked on top of one another. The height of Sentinel Tree is 257 ft. tall—the length of five and a half semi-trailers.

People who function like Sentinels have “reach” because their diverse experience and broad knowledge-base allow them to think more expansively. They grow their capacity by exploring widely. Their learning integrates various disciplines and perspectives, so that they don’t get trapped in narrow thinking or short-sightedness.
The view of a Sentinel is panoramic. Because Sentinel Tree’s very top exits the canopy at 257 ft high, it enjoys an unobstructed view. Shorter trees, stuck below the canopy, can only “see” what’s immediately around them. People who function as “Sentinels” develop a more panoramic vision because they’re willing to lift their focus out of their immediate surroundings, inviting a change of view.
Endangered Species. As a Giant Sequoia, The Sentinel Tree is listed as an Endangered Species. People who think broadly, who are able to “dance across disciplines” (David Epstein, Range), and develop expansive reach are also an endangered species. Experts are often favored over broad-minded synthesizers; but experts are often like those shorter trees stuck below the canopy, unable to see anything but their own little corner of the forest.

Are you a “Sentinel?”

In a world where experts and specialists are favored over those with expansive vision, Sentinels can rise above the narrow and short-sighted view of the expert to see above the canopy. Every team, ministry and entrepreneur needs a Sentinel to provide a corrective to the Cult of Expertise.

You can buy ($3.99) my PDF called, Become a Sentinel: Boost Your Discernment to discover more here.

Sources:

(1) http://famousredwoods.com/sentinel