Standing in the middle of the Arizona desert (which I did last week), it's not surprising to see very little vegetation.  It's hot.  It's dry.  It's exactly what you would expect for a desert.  What is not expected, however, are the Seguro cactus plants which seem to spring up randomly, but more than occasionally.  They are sturdy and full of life; some of them reaching heights of forty feet!  While other plants struggle to survive, this cactus seems to thrive, even in adverse conditions.  So what is it that makes them the exception?

Many, if not all of us, face unfavorable conditions in life. We deal with relational tension, even rejection. We struggle with issues from the past - not just memories, but sometimes the actual physical fallout and continuing consequences of decisions that we - or others - have made. We live with disappointments and unfulfilled expectations. Health issues can interrupt life and create significant hardships. Stress, the pressures of a thousand small things, overwhelms us. Sometimes we find ourselves alone, forgotten, abandoned, and shunned. Sometimes we simply struggle with the culture we live in - so much anger, so much, promiscuity, so much fear.

Are we destined to merely survive, or can we thrive? And can a cactus help us know how to do the latter? I think so.

1. The cactus is dependent on its roots. Those roots go deep, and they are able to capture great amounts of water when it does rain. Our roots matter as well - the unseen part of us. Our core, who we choose to be, what we value, and what (and Who) we choose to believe. I'm reminded of what Psalm 112:6-8 says:

Putting down roots is essential, and there are no stronger roots than faith roots.

2. The cactus makes the most of its resources. When it does rain, they are ready. Their roots quickly transfer the rain to the main "stalk" of the plant which actually swells (thus the reason for their accordion- like pleats in its skin). This hydration is stored for future consumption when the rains don't come and the sun beats down. The big idea is that they prepare ahead of time for the hardship. Hardship is a reality of life - but it's not always constant. We go through good times and bad, but we need to make the most of the good times by replenishing ourselves spiritually and emotionally!

3. The cactus is not complex. Most Seguros have very few branches, just the occasional arm. Why? Those branches steal resources from the main part of the plant. Far too often we as humans spread ourselves too thin by investing our time, attention and resources in things that aren't really important or life-giving. But that leaves us susceptible to unfavorable circumstances.

4. The cactus "knows" the importance of little things. A cactus is covered with prickly things called spines. While they act as protection against some animals that might do the cactus harm, their greater value is that they act as leaves and provide shade for the plant. Seriously. As the sun moves across the sky each part of the surface of the cactus gets just a little relief. Not much, but that shade is necessary to its survival. We need to be reminded of the importance of small things when it comes to dealing with harsh circumstances. A few whispers of prayer or a few moments in Scripture can make a big difference! Things like taking a deep breath, finding something to be grateful for, or seeking out a friend are also little things that can help.

Interestingly, the desert ecosystem depends on the cactus. Many desert animals are dependent on its existence - so its weathering the harsh climate of the desert is not just about the cactus. What a great picture! Oftentimes when we find ourselves in difficult circumstances we shift into survival mode - but we tend to be very self-focused. What might happen if we considered those around us? Even in the desert moments we need to conscious of others.

We all can live the cactus life.  We can put down roots, seek out good resources, focus on what is really important, and take advantage of the small things available to us.  In other words, when we face adversity we can do more than just survive; we can thrive!