I quit my job, my relationship, my spirituality …….. I wanted to quit my life.

I went to the woods to have one last talk with God.

‘God”, I asked , “ Can you give me one good reason not to quit ?”

His answer surprised me ……

“Look around “, He said “ Do you see the fern and the bamboo ?” “Yes”, I replied

God said :

“ When I planted the fern and the bamboo seeds, I took very good care of them . I gave them light , I gave them water . The fern quickly grew from the earth . Its brilliant green covered the floor . Yet nothing came from the bamboo seed . But I did not quit on the bamboo . In the second year the fern grew more vibrant and plentiful . Again nothing came from the bamboo seed. I did not quit on the bamboo., He Said. In the third year, there was still nothing from the bamboo seed . I would still not quit. Same in the fourth year too, nothing from the bamboo seed and I did not quit. Then, in the fifth year a tiny sprout emerged from the earth. Compared to the fern , it was seemingly small and insignificant. But just six months later the bamboo rose to over 100 feet tall. “

“The bamboo had spent the five years growing its roots . Those roots made it strong and gave it what it needed to survive . I would not give any of my creations a challenge it could not handle “ God said.

God asked me “ Do you know my child that all this time you have been struggling , you have actually been growing roots. If I would not quit on the bamboo, I would never quit on you . Do not compare yourself to others , a bamboo had a different purpose than a fern. Yet both make the forest beautiful. Your time will come”, God said to me. “You will rise high “

I asked God , “ How high should I rise ?”

God asked me in return “ How high will the bamboo rise ?”

“As high as it can ? “ I questioned.

“Yes” said God. “ Give me glory by rising as high as you can “.

I left the forest and brought back this story. I hope these words can help us see that God will never give up on you , Never, never, never give up.

We must not tell God how big the problem is , tell the problem and experience how Great our Lord is !!!!

Prof. Chandru Kanaya

Faculty of Business Administration, London American City College, UAE