October 26, 2010

Never, Never, Never Give In

Never, never, in nothing great or small, large or petty, never give in except to convictions of honour and good sense. Never yield to force; never yield to the apparently overwhelming might of the enemy. ~Winston Churchill, Commencement address at Harrow School, 1941.

In 1913 Jean Giono, a French author, was climbing in the French Alps. Deforestation had striped the mountains, leaving them bare of trees and people. Villages, streams, and forests were devoid of life.

One night, Giono was offered the hospitality of a shepherd. He sat in wonderment as the shepherd sorted through countless acorns. He shared with Giono that for three years he had faithfully planted 100,000 acorns.

Roughly 20,000 had taken root and were growing.

Time went by and after more than 30 years, Giono re-visited the shepherd. New life surrounded him!

A vast forest filled the barren land and bubbling streams curved through the once-again populated village. All thanks to the efforts of one man planting one acorn at a time after time after time. Talk about perseverance and grit! I haven't planted an acorn. But I have gardened. Hot days, bent over, knees digging in the ground...it's hard work people!

How about you? Have you been "planting" for years? Praying for a friend to come to know the Lord? Keep planting those prayers and moments you get to just "be" with them. Maybe you've waited for a job. I know it's discouraging, but send another resume, make that one extra call. Or perhaps you're longing to be married. It may be time to try a new single's group at church or ask a friend if they know anyone. Not every seed we plant will sprout. But some will...yes, some will.

Check out Churchill's address again and imagine he's speaking those words to you: Never, Never, Never Give In!

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." ~Jeremiah 29:11

My eyes stay open through the watches of the night, that I may meditate on your promises. ~Psalm 119:148

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