Fern and Bamboo

Think life has beaten you to pulp? Lost any hope for success? Want to quit? Here is God's final verdict for you:

One day a man decided to quit... quit his job, his relationship, his spirituality. He wanted to quit his life. He went to the woods to have one last talk with God.

"God", he asked, "can you give him one good reason not to quit?"

God’s answer surprised him..

"Look around", God said. "Do you see the fern and the bamboo?"

"Yes", he replied.

"When I planted the fern and the bamboo seeds, I took very good care of them. I gave them light. I gave them water. The fern quickly grew from the earth. Its 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 plentiful. And again, nothing came from the bamboo seed. But I did not quit on the bamboo." God repeated.

"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 see. I still did not quit." God said. "Then in the fifth year a tiny sprout emerged from the earth. Compared to the fern it was seemingly small and insignificant... but just 6 months later the bamboo rose to over 100 feet tall. It had spent the five years growing roots. Those roots made it strong and gave it what it needed to survive. I would not give any of my creations a challenge it could not handle." God said to him. "Did you know, that all this this time you have been struggling, you have actually been growing roots?"

God’s words shook the man. He stood there in silence.

"I did not quit on the bamboo. I will never quit on you."

"Don't compare yourself to others." God added. "The bamboo had a different purpose than the fern. Yet they both make the forest beautiful." "Your time will come", God said to him. "You will rise high".

"But how high should I rise?" the man asked further

"How high will the bamboo rise?" God asked in return.

"As high as it can?" he asked doubtfully

"Yes." God said, "Give me glory by rising as high as you can."

The man left the forest to apply this lesson in his life.

Remember: God will never give up on you.