If you want to learn patient endurance, plant a garden in West Texas.
West Texas weather is wild–dust storms, hail, flash flooding, killing freezes, and, occasionally, all four seasons compressed into a single day.
And wind. Don’t forget the wind. We have 70-80 mph gusts, straight line winds, and–once in a great while–tornadoes.
Oh, and the cotton farmers love their herbicides. One year, I had some seedlings growing on my windowsill which were decimated after the herbicide seeped in through my not-so-airtight seals.
After 10 years of West Texas gardening, I’ve learned a few lessons:
- Plant hardy. If it’s not tough, why bother? Even the toughest plants are ravaged by golf-ball sized hail and wiped out by a killing freeze. Rosemary, desert sage, Shasta daisies, and plants like these have the ability to bounce back, while hydrangeas wither in the furnace-like heat. Choose wisely.
- Pay attention to the first and last frost dates. Listen to the wisdom of the old farmers and meteorologists; this will spare you some unnecessary disappointment.
- Be willing to plant again. One year I planted zucchini and I couldn’t give it away quickly enough. The following year, I had to plant something else because the zucchini wouldn’t produce. Another time, I had my vegetable seedlings wiped out by flash flooding. As long as it isn’t too late in the season, replant and try again.
- Be patient. Sometimes the harvest is abundant, at other times the plant won’t take. Don’t give up completely. Adjust and keep trying.
A garden in this part of the country demands persistence. Patience. Endurance.
So why do people keep gardening?
Delight.
In spite of the rabbits, snakes, stickers, weeds, and weather, a garden provides great delight to the people who tend them. They endure the difficulties because they are confident there will be some harvest or some beauty to enjoy. Even the work is not without its joys–warm sunshine in spring, birdsong in the early morning, the smell of freshly growing basil–all of which allow them to cheerfully endure the hardships.
Following Jesus demands a similar persistence. Like gardening, running, or work of any kind, challenges abound and the urge to give up will creep in. And yet, there is delight in the journey and eternal joy at the end. Unlike a garden, the reward is guaranteed if we do not give up. We can count on it, because we serve a God who has proven Himself faithful. While on earth, Jesus set the example of cheerful endurance. It does not mean He smiled in spite of pain; it does mean he was willing to bear with patience all the trials because He trusted in their joyful conclusion–our salvation. The Hebrew writer noted, “Jesus…for the joy that was set before Him, endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.” (Hebrews 12.2, ESV)
A couple years ago, in late spring, my garden was flourishing. Large Shasta daisies grinned up at colorful hollyhocks drooping lazily above them. The first herbal seedlings basked in the late afternoon sunlight. Within ten minutes, everything was pulverized. A storm blew swiftly across the plains, carrying damaging winds and golf-ball sized hail. Not only did our roof need to be replaced (and several windows in our neighbors’ homes), but my garden looked like a toddler with a tantrum had beat everything to pieces. Petals lay crushed beneath hailstones, shredded greenery hung limply over the garden bed…and I wept. I felt a strong urge to start up the tractor, pull up the garden planters, and drop them in the dumpster. I wanted to give up altogether. And yet, after about a year, the plants recovered, and I am enjoying beautiful blooms once more.
Sometimes, working for the Lord can be just as traumatic. You pour into people by helping, encouraging, supporting, teaching, only to have them turn on you, or worse, walk away from the faith. In spite of teaching and standing for truth, a false doctrine may creep in and lead your friends and/or church family astray. Sometimes tragedy strikes and robs you of those pillars who have held the local congregation together. The temptation to give up at such times is overpowering. Like Elijah in the cave, lonely and broken, you long to be done. But just as the Lord reminded Elijah, He has preserved a remnant and there is work still to be done.
Don’t give up. God still has work for you to do and He will provide. Pray for His joy to strengthen and sustain you for each day.
Please join us this month as we consider the topic of “cheerful endurance.” To access the printable PDF, press the download button below.
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Previous July plans:
- At the Table (2025)
- Forgiven & Forgiving (2024)
- Serve Like Jesus (2023)
- I Am Free (2022)
- Hosea: God’s Unfailing Love (2021)
- Freedom in Christ (2020)
- The Beauty of God’s Word (2019)
So we do not lose heart.
Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal. (2 Corinthians 4.16-18)
Elihu's Corner 