Struggle

Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.
Romans 5:3-5

As our days lengthen and our thoughts turn to spring and as our semester is pressing down upon us and before us looms important meetings with synods, and committees, and congregations (oh my!) I got to thinking about a story a friend once told me about the Emperor Moth.  The struggle of emerging from the cocoon is vital and neccessary for a moth to fulfill the moth's potential.  So we too find ourselves immensely struggling in all sorts of ways--could it be our struggle is the vital and necessary to the fulfillment of what God calls us each to be? 

http://www.inspiring-quotes-and-stories.com/emperor-moth.html