During my morning walk, I came across an inspirational message from motivational speaker, Les Brown. He shared the parable of the growth of the Chinese Bamboo Tree. It’s a story of how persistence and faith can yield the eventual realization of our purpose.
The Parable of the Growth of the Chinese Bamboo Tree
According to the parable, the Chinese bamboo tree takes five years to grow. During the five-year period, the harvester has to water and fertilize the seed, which does not break through the ground until the 5th year. Once the seed germinates, it will grow 90 feet tall in five weeks. The question Les Brown posed was: Did the tree grow 90 feet tall in 5 weeks, or did it take 5 years. His answer was clear. The tree took five years, not five weeks, to course 90 feet. Furthermore, expounded Les Brown, if at any time the farmer had stopped watering or fertilizing the ground, the seed would have died.
The Development of a Root Structure
Although the farmer’s land might have appeared barren to the naked eye, the five-year span was not a period of dormancy. During that time, the tree was developing its root system. The foundation was being formed. In the Bible, the Parable Of The Sower illustrates the importance of a strong root system:
“A farmer went out to sow his seed. 4 As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up.5 Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow. 6 But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no root. 7 Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants. 8 Still other seed fell on good soil, where it produced a crop—a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown. 9 Whoever has ears, let them hear,” (Matthew 13:3-9, NIV).
The Need for Roots
A tree with a 90-feet growth potential needs a strong root system. In fact, if the root structure is not properly developed, the tree’s integrity would be compromised. Additionally, in order for the root system to grow, it would require consistent and tenacious nurturing. The same is true in our lives. The realization of our dreams and prayers will demand the development of a strong foundation. The size of our dreams is directly proportional to the depth of their root systems and development times. Indeed, large visions require great foundations and longer development.
Performance Driven Culture
Today, society often measures success by performance. There is a tendency in our culture to view lack of visual progress as proof of stagnation. In the parable of the growth of the Chinese Bamboo Tree, imagine how people might have viewed the Chinese Bamboo farmer. Neighbors and friends probably ridiculed and judged him during the tree’s five-year incubation period. Day turn into weeks; weeks turn to month; and months turned to years. Yet there was no change. Until…one day. One day, everything changed. Not only was there change, there was exponential growth.
Many of us have been watering and fertilizing our proverbial seeds for years, but there have been no realized fruits. Year after year, we continue to pour our time, resources, energy and skills into our seeds, yet there has been no growth. Fortunately, the Parable of the Sower and parable of the growth of the Chinese Bamboo Tree serve as reminders that good things take time and require development. Above all, “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up,” (Galatians 6:9).
Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labour in the Lord is not in vain, (1 Corinthians 15:58, NIVUK)
To listen to the full Les Brown motivational message on YouTube, click here.
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