I looked up into the early morning sky and With tears streaming I said, “I have nothing left to give. I am tired Lord. I have pushed, and given, and encouraged, and worked, and lost sleep, time, money, friends and it just isn’t working.”
Frustration and disappointment had set in. I wanted to quit it all! As I walked with tears flowing freely, poured my heart out to God, I found myself in the middle of the woods behind my house.
“God”, I asked, “Can you give me one good reason not to quit?” His answer surprised me… “Look around”, He said. “Do you see the fern and the bamboo? When I planted the fern and the bamboo seeds, I took very good care of both of them. I gave them light. I gave them water.
The fern quickly grew from the earth. It’s brilliant green covered the floor. Yet nothing came from the bamboo seed. But I did not quit on the bamboo. In the second year the fern grew more vibrant and became large and lush.
Yet, nothing came from the bamboo seed. But I did not quit on the bamboo."
“In year three there was still nothing from the bamboo seed. But I would not quit. In year four, again, there was nothing from the bamboo seed. I would not quit. Then in the fifth year a tiny sprout emerged from the earth. Compared to the fern it was seemingly small and insignificant. Six months later the bamboo rose to over 100 feet tall!!
Did you know that scientist have labeled the Bamboo as a grass? A GRASS! Not a bush, not a tree- A GRASS! It has the potential to grow hundreds of feet tall and yet the world has labeled it a grass! The Bamboo doesn’t let that label
Stop it from growing to its maximum potential!
It spends the first five years growing roots. Those roots made it strong and gave it what it needed to survive."
He asked me. “Did you know, my child, that all this time you have been struggling, you have actually been growing roots? The world has labeled you with limitations but I have never limited my purpose for you to what the world sees or believes about you! I made you and I alone KNOW your true potential!
I would not give up on the bamboo and I will never give up on you!!!”
“Don’t compare yourself to others planted around you. The bamboo had a different purpose than the fern. Yet they both make the forest beautiful. Your time will come!” God said to me. “You will rise higher than you ever imagined you could!”
But how high should I rise?” I asked.
“How high will the bamboo rise?” He asked in return.
“As high as it can?” I questioned.
“Yes, give Me the Glory that I deserve by rising as high as you can!!!”
I left the forest and brought back this story. I hope these words can help you see that God will never give up on you! Don’t quit!!! Never, Never, Never, Give up. Allow time to grow your roots deep and wide!
And when you do, Rise high for His Glory! Don’t let the worlds labels define what you can do or be! God alone gets that power! He loves you!! He believes in you!!! #dreambig #risehigh #helovesus #beabamboo #nomorelabels