PERSEVERANCE

The little seed began its life tucked safely within the heart of the plant. Throughout the spring and summer it remained sheltered and protected from the heat of the sun and the drenching rains. Then came the fall with its shorter days and chilly nights, and the life of the plant began to ebb away. One day, as the plant was tossed about by the autumn wind, the little seed was released from its crumbling home and carried away. Its journey took it far from the place of its birth and deposited it in the soil of an unknown land. There it lay – waiting.

Over the course of the next several days the rains came and forced the little seed downward into the soil. The wind then covered the place where it lay buried with a layer of fallen leaves. Soon the cold days of winter arrived and the tiny bit of life slept sheltered in the warmth and darkness.

The months passed and still the little seed slept, until one day the warmth of the spring sun reached down into its sheltered place and woke it from its long nap. Once awake, the little seed began to stir. The sunshine and the gentle rains that followed energized her, and she began to put down tiny roots.

The roots became healthy and strong and the little seed began to reach upward toward the source of life. She grew daily, pushing tender green shoots toward the surface of the earth. At first it all seemed so easy. Then, quite suddenly, the journey became much more difficult. It seemed that something was blocking her way. She had to push so hard to make even just a little bit of progress. There were times the little seed became so weary, she simply wanted to give up.

Then came the day when she caught a glimpse of daylight. It energized her, and with one mighty effort she finally pushed through. The tender new growth burst through the barrier her heart overflowing with joy and excitement.

However, her excitement turned to dismay as she looked around and realized that she was not in a little garden or a grassy field as she had imagined. Instead she found herself in the middle of a hard, barren strip of concrete. For as far as she could see there was no other living thing. She felt alone and miserable and wished she had never begun this journey. She longed for the warmth and safety of her home.

Through the dark night she stood there, bereft and frightened. As daylight approached she began to feel the warmth of the morning sun. It lifted her spirits, and she felt the stirrings of hope. She began to grow stronger as day after day the sun and gentle rain nourished her. One day a little bud appeared and soon blossomed into a fragrant flower. To those who happened to see her blooming there she was a testament of perseverance and grace. She seemed especially beautiful because she had overcome such difficult circumstances. Her very existence in such an unlikely place seemed miraculous. The day would come when she would scatter seeds from her heart and produce new life.

And so it is with us. We begin our new life in Christ with great hope, faith and energy. We start strong and grow quickly. We even manage to persevere when things become difficult and there is victory. Then comes the day when we are faced with circumstances that seem to threaten our very existence. We feel disappointed and abandoned. We may even wish we had never begun this journey. It has only brought us pain and suffering. But like the little plant we begin to feel the warmth of the Father’s love. We turn to Him and He provides all that we need to make it through. We spend time with Him, growing stronger and more beautiful with every passing day. To those who are watching, we are a testament of God’s amazing love and abundant grace. We have flourished when it looked like we would surely never make it through – flourished and produced fruit of eternal worth.

Romans 5:3-5 …but we also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance; and perseverance, proven character; and proven character hope; and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.

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