“Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love Him.” ~ James 1:12
One day a Chinese farmer was planting a bamboo tree in his backyard. Each day thereafter for several months, he would go out to provide the life-giving water it needed to grow. One afternoon his neighbor came over to ask him what he was doing. “I’m watering my bamboo tree,” the farmer replied. “But there’s nothing there!” his neighbor said. “Each day I see you come out to this place with water and tend to nothing! Don’t you have anything better to do with your time?”
The farmer continued doing this for years. The neighbor stopped coming over, thinking that the man he lived beside surely was losing his mind.
But something miraculous happened in the 5th year. A sprout appeared above the ground, bringing a smile to the farmer’s face. Over the following six weeks, what was a mere bulb that was barely visible to the human eye became a tree that seemed to extend into the heavens. In a little over a month, the bamboo tree had grown an amazing 80 feet!
In a very similar way, our faith takes time to mature. But if we nurture it daily with the life-giving Water of the Word of God, He will provide the sun needed for it to grow.
As sure as a tree is supported by its roots, a Christ follower is supported by the loving Father who weeds and waters him daily. As his roots begin to grow and strengthen beneath the surface, his faith is being prepared for a life of endurance against the difficulties that await. Unlike the bamboo tree, our faith may take many more years to explode.
But James reminds us of God’s reward to those who love him.
“That person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised.”
Former Blackout Artist 