Are you a corpse or a seed???

These flowers are a great example of determination and perseverance.  Growing between the lines of concrete shouldn't be an optimal place. They are under pressure and couldn't have gotten much sunlight when they were first coming up. Some people would see these flowers as a weed and a problem to be done away with. Yet they persevere and bloom and grow even if no one thinks they should.

James Chapter 1:2-4² My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations;³Knowing [this], that the trying of your faith worketh patience.⁴ But let patience have [her] perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.

 The Most high uses trials and temptations to grow your faith.

Luke 13:6 He spake also this parable; A certain man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard; and he came and sought fruit thereon, and found none.7 Then said he unto the dresser of his vineyard, Behold, these three years I come seeking fruit on this fig tree, and find none: cut it down; why cumbereth it the ground?8 And he answering said unto him, Lord, let it alone this year also, till I shall dig about it, and dung it:9 And if it bear fruit, well: and if not, then after that thou shalt cut it down.

A property owner came upon a fig tree that was wilted and not bearing any fruit.  It looked as though it had given up and was good for nothing. He was ready to do away with  it for not fulfilling its purpose. Then the dresser of his vineyard stopped him and had hope for the tree.  It took just one person to have hope and be willing to take the time and do the work to save this tree. How many people have come into your life that you were willing to take the time and put the work in in order to restore their hope?

This story can be looked at from another perspective as well. The trees' perspective. It was not bearing any fruit. Not fulfilling its purpose.  Perhaps it had given up trying. Then the vine dresser came to help. This ment digging around it (removing hard things that were close to it) and dunging around it(dung=poop! enough said) to fertilize it. When we go through the difficult things in life and feel like things close to us are getting turned up side down, and the poop is piling on us, we must see it as a time for growth that we may bear good fruit and fulfill our purpose.

When you feel overwhelmed you must decide are you a seed that will grow or a corpse ready to die? Never give up hope! As long as you have breath there is hope.

 Col 1:10That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God; 11 Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness;12 Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light:'
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