Don't give up...

Yesterday morning I worked in the garden. I watered the plants, picked vegetables and pulled weeds, preparing a section of the garden for fall tomatoes which are to be planted soon. We have an abundant crop of okra. We also have about 10 watermelons and several cantaloupe growing, which is especially exciting for me as one of my favorite foods is watermelon.

I also picked cucumbers. This year, I planted lots of cucumber seeds and started plants early. None of those plants survived. I also bought some plants, but they were all eaten by grasshoppers. The plants that did survive and are growing and producing fruit, are plants that were given to Charlie by the owner of our local feed and seed store. The plants were wilted and looked almost dead, so they were set out to be thrown away. Charlie asked if he could have them. He brought them home, used some "root stimulator" and then planted them in the soil. After only a few days, they begin to revive and grow. Now they are bearing cucumbers that we are enjoying eating.

Those cucumbers reminded me of how often we judge situations or people by what we think we see or by how things look on the outside. They, like the cucumber plants, may look wilted or dead, so we give up on them, set them apart from the rest, ignore them and accept death. You may have experienced that yourself at sometime. We don't stop to consider their "roots." If the roots are still alive, then the plant can survive. We may forget about them because we do not see growth, and they die because they are not given the help or attention they need.

Often, growth comes to those who persevere and don't give up. If you see a person who is not growing spiritually or producing fruit in their lives (Galatians 5:22-23), consider stepping up to the challenge of encouraging that person. Encouragement is amazing "root stimulator." When someone is discouraged or has given up hope, often what they need is a person who will believe in them or believe God with them. Reminding someone of God's love for them and His faithfulness can help them to continue going forward. Sometimes perseverance means simply to "take the next step." Actually, we all persevere one step at a time. Encourage them to do what they can do, no matter how small it may seem at the time. Even the simple touches of love and caring can revive hope. Being a friend and giving a word of try and love at a desperate time of their lives can change the direction of their thoughts, emotions and eventually their actions (Galatians 6:9-10).

When things appear to be dead or dormant, examine them closely. This may apply to your spiritual life, visions, dreams or goals you have set. If you are not seeing growth or reaping a harvest from something you believed God called you to do, don't quickly discard it as something that was not for you, was not real, or that you simply missed. Don't give up. Examine the roots to see if they are of God and His will.

How do we do that? We go back to when that "seed" was planted in our lives. Consider where the idea came from. Was it from God, or was it just your good idea? Pray over it and ask the Lord to reconfirm if it was something He wanted for your life. He will answer that prayer and show you, because He wants you to do the things that are His good idea.

Even if a dream or vision has died, God is the God of resurrection. If something was birthed in Him, then I have doubts that it can actually die. If it was birthed in the Kingdom and heart of God, there is no death. We just can't see the life manifested here on earth if we are looking with our physical eyes or using human reasoning or perspective. His vision can see the roots and the life.

If your dreams, visions and goals are from God, use some spiritual "root stimulator" by reading the Word, seeking the Lord and by sharing with a friend you know will encourage you. Put yourself in a place where the Spirit of God is active and moving, and allow Him to revive your spirit. Do not give up on things God has given to you. If it is a work of your own making or reasoning, then it might be advantageous to let it die. But if the work, dream, relationship, vision, activity, ability is from God, He will resurrect it and help you to persevere and cultivate life.

Things are not always as they appear to be. Remember my story of the onions? God doesn't want us to settle for the "surface vision" and He will help us to grow in perseverance, patience and endurance. He wants us to be people who will not give up but who are courageous and will persevere in Life, no matter what the situations appear to be. God wants us to trust Him and grow deep in Him so we can have spiritual vision which involves walking in wisdom.

Charlie reminded me of when we owned an 18-acre piece of land west of Austin, Texas. Someone set our property on fire. They drove down the road, throwing out matchbooks that were lit, and setting fires for several miles outside of town. The firemen thought they had put the fire out on our property, but it was still kindling in the undergrowth and moved through our property burning grass, plants, a few trees and our barn. Shortly after the fire, we received a call from a local realtor saying he would be glad to "take the land off our hands." Charlie, being a man of wisdom and discernment, laughed, thanked the realtor for his "generosity," but said the land was not for sale. What actually happened was that the fire burned off the brush, sticky vines and weeds - those things that needed to be cleaned out. After the fire, for several weeks all we could see was ashes, and black ground, burned and charred. It looked terrible. However, after a few weeks, the grass and plants began to grow again. The fire had actually put nutrients into the land and the plants and grass grew back, thick and plush. It was beautiful. Other than the barn and two large trees, the fire did more improvement than it did damage.

Do not give up on those things that seem dormant, dying or even damaged beyond repair. Take time to look deeper. Examine the roots if possible. Stimulate the growth and then wait and see what happens. You may be surprised at the new life and the abundant harvest that comes.

I pray that this day each of us will see with God's vision - a vision of Life and possibilities. He sees potential in each of us - potential that He created in us. Even when we were "dead in our sins," God knew what amazing things we could do with His help. He knew what we could become, through the power of His Spirit. He knows there is no situation that He cannot use for our good (Romans 8:28) and His glory. He sees with eyes of wisdom and spiritual insight. I pray that He will give us the ability to see people and situations as He does, and that His Spirit will urge us not to give up. I pray we will have the courage and ability to walk in such a way that we bring hope, love and encouragement into even the most challenging of situations. Then as a result, may we see the fruit and experience the blessings He gives to those to persevere (2 Timothy 2:12).