A friend of mine gave me a Redwood seed. It’s tiny—like a flat kernel of corn.

Redwoods are the largest species of trees in the world, growing hundreds of feet high, and living thousands of years. But when you look at the seed, it’s difficult to imagine that such enormous trees have such small and humble origins. And yet, there it is… in my hand… the beginning of unimaginable growth.

Consider this: Everything that Redwood tree will eventually become (over the next 1,000 plus years) is contained on the tip of my finger in this small seed. Sure, it will need sun and soil… but…

• its DNA… check.

• its features… check.

• its strength and sturdiness… check.

• its size—height and width… check.

It’s all right here. Something incredibly big starting shockingly small.

Kind of like you.

“I knew you before I formed you in your mother’s womb. Before you were born I set you apart and appointed you as my prophet to the nations.” -Jeremiah 1:5

Not only were you made in the image of the eternal God, he also put the seed of your future in your DNA. You already have what you need to be who you were designed to be.

New trainings, sure. More experiences, of course. But it’s in you. It’s begun. It’s growing… becoming…

You won’t ruin it because it’s you. You’re not lost, broken, too slow, or disqualified. You’re you! All that’s you has been in you from the beginning and its still working its way out of you.

Be patient. Keep growing. It takes awhile to become a Redwood.