Thanks for the note. I remember a while ago I went to a meeting where a guy said that where we are is not necessarily where God wants us. I found this contrary to what the Bible teaches about God’s Sovereign will. Where we are is where he planned us to be, and because it was God who planned it, it is for our good, and we ought to trust him to guide us to where he wants us in his time, while remaining content in the situation he has put us in.

Thanks!

Thanks!

One day I decided to quit. My job, my relationship, my spirituality… my life. I went to the woods to have one last talk with God.

“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?”
“Yes,” I 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 fifth year a tiny sprout emerged from the earth. Compared to the fern it was seemingly small and insignificant. But just six 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. You see, I would not give any of my creations a challenge it could not handle,” He said.

He then asked me, “Did you know, My child, that all this time you have been struggling, you have actually been growing roots. I would not quit on the bamboo. I will never quit on you.”

“Don’t compare yourself to others,” He said.
“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 high.”
“How high should I rise?” I asked.
“How high will the bamboo rise?” He asked in return.
“As high as I can?” I questioned.
“Yes,” He said, “Give me glory by rising as high as you can.”

I’m sorry I haven’t been online. My computer has crashed some 3 times this semester, and I keep having to load literally everything back onto it.

I hope you’re doing well, despite whatever discouragements have come along. You’re a great friend and encouragement to many people, as is obvious from the comments section of your blog.

Grace, thanks for the reminder.

But somehow, I have to agree with Rick Warren when he said that joy and pain in our earthly life aren’t like those hills and valleys, but more like a railway road, pairing together all time (gee, wish I can better say these in English!).

As much as there’s joy in many dimensions of our life there will always be pain in some other, vice versa… That will keep reminding us of heaven, that will keep our eyes focus on Him Anyway, only His child that is disciplined and corrected (if that was ever the case), every discouragement will not go in vain

Thanks, Jess. I’m in the same type of trying situation. I needed to hear this. God bless.

Hi Jared, I’m glad that God could somehow use my humble post to encourage you. Praise be to Him! That’s so encouraging.

Pastor Bruce wrote:

Isn’t it great to know that during our times of discouragement and despair that our God is there to comfort us.

Yes, that was indeed the case with me. Thanks so much for your words, Pastor Bruce.

Isn’t it great to know that during our times of discouragement and despair that our God is there to comfort us. I think of Paul and Silas being in the Philippian jail. Though their situation must have been very discouraging and having the potential of great despair, they looked beyond their circumstances and rejoiced in God by praying and singing hymns to Him for they understood that God alone set the boundaries of their habitation. For in His sovereignty and providence that moment called for them to be in the stocks at the bottom of a Philippian jail. Thus no matter what has caused you discouragement and despair dear child of the King, rejoice for He alone is your hope both in and from this world. Know He alone through His providence has led you to that circumstance (as well as others in the future) for the purpose of bringing glory to His name through His Son, our Lord Jesus Christ. Blessings …

Psalm 124:8