Determination

It really wasn’t all that much to see. Just a little scrubby tree growing within a forest full of hundreds and thousands of its brothers and cousins, but for some reason, this little tree caught my attention. Was it because of its beauty? No. Was it unique from all the other trees within eyesight? Not really. You see, I was taking an early-morning hike in the Ozark hills with some other early risers in the crew on a trail named, “The Homesteader’s Trail.” Along the winding path that zig-zagged along, through, and over a mountain stream were numerous heaps of rubble which were the remains of home sites from settlers that enjoyed the same draw to nature that I do generations ago. The thing that had me mesmerized about this one little tree was the fact that it was surviving and doing quite well in a heap of rubble – a circumstance that didn’t at all benefit the well-being of the little shoot of life comfortably abiding in its midst. The word that came to my mind as I observed the Little Tree That Could was this – Determination. It seemed like that little fellow was there for no other reason that the fact that it wanted to be there and was going to do whatever it took to make it work. Determination.

I am convinced that the single factor that often separates achievers from non-achievers in this world is the discipline that the little tree in the photo above had obviously mastered – Determination. As I contemplate times in my own life when life turned out a little short of the finish line I had envisioned in my mind, I realize that my own determination (or lack thereof) was indeed a factor in the outcome. As a minister over the past two decades, I have observed the same in the lives of countless others. Determination. A steady dose of it can cause a person to achieve far more than they ever dreamed. A short supply of it can cause someone to perpetually be a man, woman, boy, or girl with amazing potential that never quite gets realized. Determination.

Scripture is full of nuggets of wisdom that point us to the fact that achieving our full potential in this life requires our full determination. Ever wonder what turn you’re supposed to take at a crossroads in life? Proverbs 2 tells us to seek the wisdom of God as though we were searching for hidden treasure. Determination. Ever think you’re overwhelmed to the point you just want to give up? Philippians 2 tells us that Jesus was obedient to the Father even to the point of death on the cross. Determination. Ever felt like your marriage wasn’t worth fighting for? Ever felt like your parents just didn’t get it? Ever thought you just didn’t have anything left to give? Jesus Himself told us that the most important command in all of the Law was to Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength. Determination.

Granted – we don’t live in a perfect world. Many days we wake up and say along with Dorothy from The Wizard of Oz, “I don’t think we’re in Kansas anymore Toto.” Life throws curve balls, punches us from the blind side, causes the wheels to fall off, and jerks the rug out from under us often. And that’s all before breakfast on some days! The question isn’t whether or not difficulties will come. The question, rather, is how we’re going to face those difficulties when they come our way. Will we lie down in defeat, or will we rise up in Determination? My suggestion is to take a lesson from the Little Tree That Could, and even when the rubble of life has caved in upon you, sink your roots down deep into your relationship with the One who holds it all in the palm of His hand and allow His power to give you – Determination.

So whether on the highways of our busy lives, on the old Homesteader’s Trail in the mountains, or somewhere in-between…I’ll see you in the Great Outdoors!