“If you want to understand adversity, take two identical acorns from the same oak tree and plant them in two different locations. Plant the first in the middle of a dense forest, and the other on a hill by itself.
“Here’s what will happen. The oak standing on a hillside is exposed to every storm and gale. As a result its roots plunge deep into the earth and spread in every direction, even wrapping themselves around giant boulders. At times it may seem the tree isn’t growing fast enough – but the growth is happening under ground. It’s as if the roots know they must protect the tree from the threatening elements.
“What about the acorn planted in the forest? It becomes a weak, frail sapling having to compete with giant oaks for nutrients and space. And since it is protected by its neighbors, the little oak doesn’t sense the need to spread its roots for support.
“Don’t be afraid of adversity welcome it! That’s your surefire route to ultimate success.”
Neil Eskelin shared the above so that people could begin to understand that the difficulties of their lives are not their enemies, but rather are their opportunities. His point about the growth being hidden underground while the tree prepares for a solid future also applies to us. We must be grounded solidly to be able to endure and sustain life and growth.
In the story of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego from the Hebrew apocalyptic book Daniel they are taught how to live and they stay true to the values and pattern of life that the had been taught. All of their life they patterned based on values and character that had grown deep in their life. They lived in a kingdom that believed in many Gods yet they believed in only one and that to honor or worship any other would defile them. When ordered to bow to the idols around them and upon refusing they were condemned to die by being burned in a furnace. Only, when they got thrown in they were joined by God as the fourth one in fire keeping them safe from harm. Remaining true to God and their values allowed them to have lives that reflected more the promise and presence of God and life.
How many times people who have had a rough life live with a resilience and promise that their days will be better because they understood who and whose they were. It seems that so many are willing to sell their soul and life for so little by just going with the flow of what everyone else does. It is as if they have no roots and no sustaining values that will guide them through the difficult storms of life that we will all face. At issue then is not if we face any storms, but rather how we will face the storms. My hope for you this week is that you have a relationship with God that transforms you, values that under-gird you and integrity that sustains you.
Blessings,
Pastor Greg
