They sprout and sprout and sprout, no matter where the wind leads them.
And then they grow and grow and grow, thus fulfilling their purpose.
At times I wonder about this process. How can they grow, these tiny
seeds carried by the wind to forlorn places, such as the cliffs facing
the tumultuous Atlantic Ocean. Fierce winds greet them as soon as they
stick their head out of the ground, and then they are bombarded with
heat in the summer and ice in the winter.
However, although they
are deposited in the most unusual places, such as these rocky boulders,
they can't help but grow. Though they tend to be small, those conifers
are also quite resilient.
And funny thing: I don't believe anyone
has ever heard them uttering a complaint!
No matter where destiny
has placed us, there are advantages to us. It is our choice to either
bloom, or to whiter to nothingness. It is our choice to either touch
lives, or to become grumpy and self-reliant.
There is a reason
why Jesus said: "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not
give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and
do not be afraid." (John 14:27 NIV)
God's peace reigns in us.
Jesus made sure of that. However discontent often comes knocking on the
doors of our heart and if we let it enter, it will take full possession,
thus chasing God's peace away.
Notice what happens to those who
pay more attention to their circumstances than to God: "Then you will be
handed over to be persecuted and put to death, and you will be hated by
all nations because of me. At that time many will turn away from the
faith and will betray and hate each other, and many false prophets will
appear and deceive many people. Because of the increase of wickedness,
the love of most will grow cold, but he who stands firm to the end will
be saved." (Matt 24:9-13 NIV)
They become useless and grumpy! No
kingdom living can be found in them! Instead they face judgment: "Don't
grumble against each other, brothers, or you will be judged." (James 5:9
NIV)
Let us take heart and know to be content no matter where we
are, no matter what the circumstances, for no matter what, we are in the
middle of God's will!
"Each man, as responsible to God, should
remain in the situation God called him to." (1 Cor 7:24 NIV)
More
often than not, we do tend to forget that Jesus is way bigger than any
of our circumstances.
"I have told you these things, so that in
me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take
heart! I have overcome the world." (John 16:33 NIV)
We really are
destined to sprout!
Rob Chaffart
Destined to Sprout: Awake Series, Part 10
Today's Bible Verse:
"Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you
as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be
afraid." (John 14:27)
Destined to Sprout: Awake Series, Part 10
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