8/14/2019 RFL6 Bamboo
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REFLECTIONS
Topics: death, Heaven, loved ones waiting on the other side,
faith
R6Reflections 1992 The FamilyDavid Brandt Berg (19191994) was
founder of The Family.
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Once upon a time in the heart of the Eastern Kingdom laya
beautiful garden. And there in the cool of the day wasthe Master of
the garden, who went for a walk. Of all
the dwellers of the garden, the most beautiful and beloved was
agracious and noble Bamboo.
Year after year Bamboo grew yet more beautiful and gracious.He
was conscious of his Masters love and watchful delight. Yethe was
modest and in all things gentle. Often when Wind cameto revel in
the garden, Bamboo would throw aside his dignity. Hewould dance and
sway merrily, tossing and swaying and leapingand bowing in joyous
abandon. He would lead the great dance ofthe garden which most
delighted his Masters heart.
One day the Masterhimself drew near tocontemplate his
Bamboo.With eyes of curiousexpectancy, Bamboo bowed
his great head to the groundin loving greeting. TheMaster spoke:
Bamboo,Bamboo, I would use you.
Bamboo said, Master,I am ready, use me as youwant.
Bamboo, the Mastersvoice was grave, I would
be obliged to take you and cut you down. A trembling of
greathorror shook Bamboo.
Cut ... me ... down? Me, whom You, Master, have made themost
beautiful in all of Your garden? To cut me down? Ah, notthat! Not
that! Use me for Your joy, O Master, but cut me notdown!
Beloved Bamboo, the Masters voice grew graver still, if Ido not
cut you down, then I cannot use you.
The garden grew still. Wind held his breath. Bamboo slowlybent
his proud and glorious head. There came a whisper. Bambooreplied,
Master, if You cannot use me unless You cut me down,then do Your
will and cut.
Bamboo, beloved Bamboo, I would cut your leaves andbranches from
you also.
Master, Master, spare me! Cut me down and lay my beautyin the
dust, but would You take from me my leaves and branchesalso?
Bamboo, alas! If I do not cut them away, I cannot use you.The
Sun hid his face. A listening butterfly glided fearfully away.
Bamboo shivered in terrible expectancy, whispering low,Master,
cut away.
Bamboo, Bamboo, I would divide you in two and cut out
your heart, for if I do not cut so, Icannot use you.
Master, Master, then cut anddivide.
So did the Master of the
garden take Bamboo and cut himdown and hack off his branchesand
strip off his leaves and dividehim in two and cut out his
heart.Lifting him gently, he carried himto where there was a spring
offresh, sparkling water in the midstof Masters dry fields.
Then putting down one endof Bamboo in the spring, and theother
end into the water channelin his field, the Master laid down
gently his beloved Bamboo. Thespring sang welcome. The
clearsparkling water raced joyouslydown the channel of Bamboostorn
body into the waiting fields.
Then the rice was plantedand the days went by. The shootsgrew.
The harvest came. In thatday was Bamboo, once so gloriousin his
stately beauty, yet moreglorious in his brokenness andhumility. For
in his beauty hewas life abundant. But in his
brokenness he became a channelof abundant life to his
Mastersworld!
And when He had calledthe people unto Him with Hisdisciples
also, He said unto them,Whosoever will come after Me,let him deny
himself, and takeup his cross, and follow Me.For whosoever will
save his life
shall lose it; but whosoever shalllose his life for My sake and
theGospels, the same shall save it.For what shall it profit a man,
ifhe shall gain the whole world,and lose his own soul?
(Mark8:3436).
Author Unknown
Bamboo
