The picture to the left is a flower my wife cut from a tree at the edge of our yard.  My Facebook friends helped us identify it as a Tulip Poplar.  What make this particular flower so unique is that is comes from a tree that fell into our yard last year.  I pushed the tree back into the brush and figured it would eventually wither and die.  The tree produced a stunning display of blooms in spite of the fact is had fallen, been pushed aside, and was overgrown with brush.  The picture below shows the mess through which this tree bloomed.

The Tulip Poplar bloom reminded me of the Biblical admonition to remain steadfast in the midst of adverse and difficult life circumstances.

Therefore, since we also have such a large cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us lay aside every weight and the sin that so easily ensnares us. Let us run with endurance the race that lies before us, keeping our eyes on Jesus, the source and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that lay before Him endured a cross and despised the shame and has sat down at the right hand of God’s throne. For consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, so that you won’t grow weary and lose heart. – Hebrews 12:1-3

We find it easy to allow our circumstances to dictate our effort.  When the going gets tough, we get going…in the other direction.  Jesus provided the example we can follow by enduring shame, ridicule, betrayal, pain, and ultimately death for us. Jesus was willing to endure the immediate hardship because He knew the payoff of joy that was to come.

What circumstances and situations currently tempt you to quit trying?  Tell Jesus about them and ask Him to overcome through you so that you can bloom where He has planted you.  He knows what you’re going through and He has already overcome.