翻譯自Paul Andrew Pereira的 "My Grace Is Sufficient For you"，下方附有英文原文
從前有個小小的植物，生長在一個空蕩蕩，只有在上頭有開口的大罐子裡。罐子裡只有一丁點兒的土壤，水則是一滴也沒有。小植物個頭不高，沒辦法享受到罐子外明媚的陽光，他也無法知道，原來罐子外是一片肥沃的土地，四處長滿了綠葉紅花。
我們的小幼苗身材嬌小、弱不禁風、營養不良，缺乏陽光和水份。他也從來沒見過陽光，嚐過水的滋潤，但在他小小的心裡，總是相信在高高罐子頂部的外頭，總該有些什麼。儘管在他的四周，只有黑暗和空虛，他仍然偷偷地希望，在外頭，有閃耀的天際；在那裡，天空的顏色，每分每秒都在改變。但他的「邏輯」告訴他，他該面對現實，不要再做白日夢了。
邏輯：罐子外不可能有任何東西存在。看看你身邊就知道了，這就是現實！現實生活不就已經夠棒了嗎？你仔細瞧瞧，其實罐子裡已經有很多有趣的東西了。你看看罐子裡的牆壁，上面的紋路刻痕無止無盡，你花一輩子也數不完。還有地上土壤的質地，不也很迷人嗎？在這麼大的罐子裡，你還怕沒事做嗎？
植物：我知道。它的確很有趣。但我常常感到在罐子的另一頭，有個聲音在呼喚我。就算我知道罐子外不可能有東西存在，我也知道罐子裡的奇妙，但我心裡還是蠢蠢欲動不滿足。我想，外面總該有什麼吧！我的植物本能告訴我，我該長得更高，用我的眼睛親自看看外面的世界。
小植物努力探頭、伸展自己，但罐子實在太高了，他還是什麼也看不到。不管邏輯怎麼說服他，他仍然非常傷心，內心裡有股向外的渴望和呼喚。他只好難過的哭了。
植物：你是誰？我為什麼在這裡？我知道你就在外頭，不管你是誰，我需要你！
植物每天都這樣難過的哭喊。直到有一天，天空的顏色突然變得很耀眼。有的又大又亮的東西滑過天空，一束光照在植物身上。這道光，讓植物看見了他在黑暗裡所看不見的自己。這是個神奇的體驗，植物從此就不想再離開光了。但是光卻繼續向前移動，沒有理會他。植物忘不了這個前所未有的經驗，於是從那天起，他下定了決心，要離開這個破罐子。每天，植物只做一件事，就是努力探頭，努力伸展。
有一天，植物又受不了大聲哭喊。
植物：偉大的光，我需要你！把這個臭罐子拿走，讓我可以天天活在你奇妙的光底下！
太陽：我的孩子別擔心。我的雨水夠你用的...
太陽用熱力照射大海，讓水蒸氣形成的雲層緩緩飄到罐子上頭。一瞬間，雨水湧進罐子上的開口，植物享受了一場充盈滿溢的雨水澡。植物的身體裡灌滿了水，他變得更強壯了。但這場大水，卻讓罐子裡的其他小生命奄奄一息。植物突然明白，其實罐子不需要拿走，因為罐子裡的大空間反而能將雨水裝得飽飽的，讓植物享受更充足的雨水。
然而，其他在罐子裡的小生命就沒有那麼幸運了。讓植物的生命茁壯的雨水，卻淹死了罐子裡其他的居民。罐子裡的泥土、垃圾都被大水沖散了。這時，邏輯說話了。
邏輯：你在幹什麼？為什麼你堅持要尋找天上的光呢？你知道你失去了罐子裡多少的樂趣嗎？你把罐子裡的享受都犧牲了，只為了好奇外面的世界！
植物：我知道。但雖然我生長在罐子裡，但我知道我不屬於罐子。我的植物本能告訴自己，我不是住在罐子裡的料。罐子裡的生活沒辦法滿足我，我只好想辦法去滿足我的植物本能。我想這就是我生來的目的吧。
邏輯每天都努力引誘植物，讓他能迷上在罐子裡的生活。有時候植物也會動搖，受到罐子裡生活的吸引。經過了幾次失敗，植物都會感到難過，又重新嚮往天上的光。然而不知不覺，植物再度擁抱罐子裡的生活，因為畢竟雨水只有當他向太陽懇求的時候才會降臨。終於有一天，植物又向太陽哭喊。
植物：我無法再忍受罐子裡的生活了，拜託你把罐子拿掉吧！罐子裡的生活一直誘惑我，要我待在罐子的最底層。但我需要你的照耀和你的雨水。罐子真是個討厭鬼！
太陽：我的孩子別擔心，我的陽光夠你用的...
太陽加強了光照，直到光線射入罐子深處。罐子光亮的表面恰巧能將陽光返照到植物上，復甦他的生命，並讓他有繼續向上伸展的力量。再一次，植物瞭解了其實罐子可以繼續留著，只要他持續循著光線，一天天的向前，因為罐子可以讓光線返照得更明亮，照進他最幽暗的生命裡。
所以每一天，植物都大聲呼叫太陽，懇求他光的照耀。太陽也非常樂意，讓植物享受他的供應。雖然有時植物被罐子裡的生活戲弄，沒有呼叫太陽。但隨著植物一天一天的向上生長，罐子底層的生活就離他越來越遙遠了，他也漸漸食之無味了。相對的，隨著植物一天天的茁壯、長高，他也越能接受從上方來的供應。
有一天，植物變得非常高大，強壯，幾乎已經長出罐子上方的開口。他的根也有力量戳破了罐子的底部，埋入罐子下的土壤裡。有了土壤豐富的養分，植物變得更強壯了。但罐子仍圍繞在植物的根莖旁。
有一天，植物終於長到罐子外了。他非常興奮，因為每天都能和太陽面對面對話了。終於沒有東西擋在他和太陽中間了。瞇著眼，植物看見了罐子外的世界，而他看見的第一個景象就是其他的植物正被地上的昆蟲攻擊。因為那些植物的根沒有受到罐子保護，只能任由地上露出來的部分被昆蟲攻擊。於是植物詢問太陽。
植物：為什麼那些植物被昆蟲攻擊？
太陽：因為那些植物太聰明了。當罐子裡的生活對他們太艱苦時，他們像你一樣，求我把罐子拿走。我雖然告訴他們別擔心，也告訴他們我的雨水和陽光夠他們用的，但他們相當頑固，偷偷拜託小鳥叼走罐子。所以他們長得非常快速，但小蟲也逮到機會，攻擊他們柔軟的根部。
植物：所以，我永遠都擺脫不掉這個罐子囉？
太陽：我的孩子別擔心，我的陽光夠你用的...
不久後，因著太陽豐厚的供應，植物長得越來越高大強壯。有一天植物的根變得粗大結實，擠破了罐子。終於，植物擺脫了罐子。現在植物的根又粗又厚，變得百蟲不侵。植物終於完全成熟，勝過了罐子、罐子裡生活的引誘，和地上的小蟲...
任何一個基督徒一定馬上就懂這個故事的寓意。在我們努力成為一個成熟基督徒的過程時，我們需要遠避屬世的事物。我們需要尋求在上面的事，遠離「罐子裡的生活」。但當我們跌倒時，或為主受苦時，不要央求祂解決問題，而該享受祂從未停止恩典的供應。恩典就是神將自己傳輸到我們裡面，使我們在一切的環境和「罐子」中享受祂。經過與主同行，享受祂常時的供應後，我們將在基督這土壤裡深深扎根，那時世上的事物將成為遙遠的記憶。永遠不要靠自己找方法解決問題，總要轉向神，讓祂用祂的方式解決。祂知道什麼時候該取去你的問題。不要自作聰明，用天然的方法，或找「鳥兒」幫忙，而要轉向主，尋求加多的恩典。最後，你會一天比一天強壯，直到你不需要「罐子」為止。享受基督作恩典自己，因為這是夠你用的...
（by Paul Andrew Pereira，translated by Stef）
英文原文：http://christcomes.wordpress.com/2009/05/23/my-grace-is-sufficient-for-you/
My Grace Is Sufficient For you
There was once a little plant that grew in an empty can. The can was completely open at the top but the little plant was still a seedling inside the big can. There was very little earth inside the can and there was simply no water. The little plant was very short and wasn’t tall enough to enjoy the sunshine which was shining outside the can. Outside the can was a beautifully nourished field with a lot of big beautiful plants with flowers.
Our little seedling, although young, seemed like a plant about to die. It was malnourished and was lacking sunshine and water. It did not experience sunlight or water but sensed however that there must be something more way up there at the mouth of the can. As much as the plants physical senses knew that all around him was just dark emptiness as far as he could tell, there was something about the beautiful brightness of the sky above which changed color every now and then. His logic told him that to face reality.
Logic: There can’t be anything else outside this can. What do you see around you? This is reality. Isn’t reality simply awesome? There are so many things inside this can to be amused about. The number of grooves on the walls on the can are uncountable. It would take a lifetime to count them. The fine texture of the dirt inside the can is fantastic. There are so many things to occupy yourself with inside this can.
Plant: I know. It is very amusing. But I can’t help but sense something calling from outside the can. As much as I know there can’t be anything outside the can, I also know that as wonderful as this can is, it doesn’t seem to satisfy me completely. There’s something more. There’s someone there outside. The plant life within me is telling me I must grow taller and see what’s outside.
The plant tried to explore the heights of the can but was just too short to do it. No matter what the plant’s logic told it, it felt sorrowful inside, with a longing for something to satisfy the plant life within it. The plant cried out in pain,
Plant: Who are you? Why am I here? I know you’re out there whoever you are and I need you!
Everyday the plant cried out this way. Then one day, the sky changed color and became very bright. Something big and bright slid across the sky and revealed a great light onto the plant. This light opened up parts of the plant it didn’t even know it had. It was a fantastic experience and the plant wanted to always be in this light. But the light passed on. Nevertheless, the experience was unforgettable. From this day forth the plant was determined to get outside the can. It tried as hard as it could day by day to reach the top of the can but it was simply too short.
One day the plant cried out again.
Plant: O great Light I need you! Please remove this can so I can live in your shining!
Sun: Don’t worry my child. My rain is sufficient for you…
The sun heated the seas and caused clouds to form above the can. Almost immediately rain came from the mouth of the can and showered the plant with a well needed supply of water. This water filled the plant and made it much stronger. While all the life in the can was struggling to survive. The plant was made strong with water and suddenly realized it didn’t even need the can to be removed. The can made the rainwater all the more enjoyable because the can collected the water that fell into it for the plant.
However, the rest of the life in the can were very troubled. The same water that nourished the plant was drowning the other inhabitants of the can. All the dirt and rubbish in the can was drowned by the water. The plant’s logic spoke to the plant,
Logic: What are you doing? Why do you seek after the light from above? By doing this you are missing out on so much of the can life. You are drowning the enjoyments of the can life by stretching forth to the things above!
Plant: I know. But though I am in the can, I am not of the can. I am of the plant life, not the can life. The things of the can cannot satisfy me. I must seek what satisfies the plant life in me. This is my purpose.
The plant’s logic tried everyday to lure the plant to enjoy the can life. Sometimes the plant was tempted and most of the time the plant fell for the lusts of the can life. But after falling the plant would feel sorrowful and long again for the things above. The plant became weak when it dwelt in the can life and every time it went down to the depths of the can for enjoying the can life, it missed out on the shining from above. The rain would also only come if the plant was willing to ask the sun for it. The plant called out again to the sun,
Plant: Please remove this can from me! I can’t take it anymore. This can and it’s can life keep luring me downward to the depths of it. I need to enjoy your shining and watering. This can is a nuisance to me!
Sun: Don’t worry my child, My ray is sufficient for you…
The sun intensified the shining of it’s light and the rays hit against the inner sides of the can. The shiny surface of the can reflected the rays of the sun to the plant, nourishing it and drawing it toward the things above once again. The plant realized that the can didn’t need to be removed, the plant just needed to keep seeking after the sun every day, and the existence of the can would just allow the plant to experience the nourishing in a deeper way.
So everyday the plant called on the sun, asking for it’s supply. The sun was also more than willing to offer it to the plant. Sometimes the plant failed to call on the sun out of a pure heart when it was tricked by the can life. But as the plant grew taller and taller inside the can, the depths of the can and it’s can life enjoyment became more and more distant and harder to enjoy. And the taller the plant grew, the more it enjoyed the supply from above.
One day the plant became very tall and strong and it was almost out of the mouth of the can. Suddenly however, it’s roots which had become very strong broke through the bottom of the can and plunged into the soil beneath the can. The plant then grew even stronger with the rich supply from the ground and the sky above. The can was still around the plants stem.
Finally the plant reached the outside of the can one day. it was so happy and it could talk to the sun all day. There was nothing in the way of it’s fellowship with the sun anymore. The plant could also see so much of the world outside the can. One of the first things it saw were other plants being attacked by insects. These plants did not have cans around their stems so the insects on the ground could attack the exposed plant stem coming out of the ground. Out plant then asked the sun,
Plant: Why are those other plants being eaten up by the insects?
Sun: Those other plants were very clever. When the can life they experienced was too difficult for them to handle, they asked me to remove it for them. I told them not to worry. I told them that my rain and ray were sufficient for them. But they were stubborn and they communicated with the birds and asked the birds to remove the cans from them. So they grew very fast but the insects on the ground could now attack them because they had exposed their soft stems.
Plant: Does that mean I must keep this can around me forever?
Sun: Don’t worry my child, My ray is sufficient for you…
Not long after this, the plant grew even stronger by enjoying the supply of the sun above. One day the stem of the plant became so thick that it broke the can around it and the plant was finally free of the can. But the plants stem had become thick and hard and could not be attacked by the insects of the ground. The plant had fully matured at this point and overcame the can, the can life, and the insects of the ground…
Any Christian would immediately understand what this story is about. In our struggle to become a mature Christian, we need to turn away from the worldly things. We have to seek after the things of above and nothing of the “can-life”. But when we fail or when we suffer for Christ, don’t ask the Lord to remove the problem but instead enjoy His ever supplying grace. Grace is God transfused into us for our enjoyment through all our circumstances or “cans” and our seeking after Him. After walking with the Lord and enjoying His supply for a long time, we will be deeply rooted in Christ as our good land and the things of the world would be a distant memory. Never engineer means by which you can solve your problems yourself. Always turn to the Lord and let Him deal with it. He knows when to remove your problems for you. Don’t work with your fleshly and natural ideas or “birds” but turn to the Lord for more grace. Eventually, you will be stronger than ever and you won’t need the “can” anymore. Enjoy the Lord in Christ always as grace which is sufficient for us…
