Spring’s breaking. Or at least the school calendar says so even if the thermometer doesn’t yet. The sun seems to agree and has graced us with her presence all week long. I’ve been down on my hands and knees squinting at the dirt in my flower beds, and I see bits of green starting to poke through the ground. It gives me hope. Hope that warmer days spent outside digging in the dirt for hours on end is about to come. Little seedlings in my mini-greenhouse are poking up their heads, daring to wake up for a summer of bearing fruit in my garden.
I hope, in me, there’s a bit of green starting to raise, ready to bear fruit as well. For this life with God, it’s about bearing fruit. Growing can be a painful process as struggle to come out of our dormant selves and into the Light, warming to His presence and then allowing Him to grow us into something more than we could imagine.
It’s amazing that inside every tiny little seed, God has planted the code for its life. The seed determines what kind of plant will grow and what fruit it will produce. A tomato seed will never grow a green pepper. And apple seed will never grow a pear.
He’s planted a seed in you as well. A seed that includes gifts and talents, the capacity to love and be patient and encourage. Your seed is like no one else’s. Your growth will be unique and special.
What is He growing in you? Are you willing to bask in the light of His word and grow? There’s fruit He’s designed specifically for you. Don’t try to be someone else!
So true. Especially in ministry we can get caught up in what other’s expect us to do or in what other churches are doing that we forget that God called us as individuals and as a body to a unique ministry.
Very nice imagery!
I think that so often I just want people to like me…no matter what it takes. That causes all kinds of weeks to grow and nudge out the good fruit. I’m trying to learn. THAT is a very painful pruning process for sure!
Thanks for this devotional!
Oh Jessie, the expectations of others, that’s a big discussion in itself, especially for those in public view such as in ministry. Good thoughts.
Susie, and your comment is another discussion as well – wanting to please people at the cost of bearing good fruit. Pruning is never easy!!
Causes *weeds* to grow…not weeks. Although I could use something that causes weeks to grow.