When we plant, we don’t know the exact time the plant will yield fruit. Plants require weeding, watering and overall care, even before you you can see a sprout.  Weeding without seeing fruit can be quite discouraging.  We must keep our eyes, and thereby our minds recalling how sweet the fruit is.  For in due time, that fruit will be ready to reap, if we continue our care taking.  

This verse is applied most for me as a parent of hurting children.  There are many days where I plant, and few if any days I see fruit.  There are days when I’m tired and don’t do the best job weeding either. 

If it was all about my effort, it would make sense that I would lose heart, but thankfully that is not the case.  God is doing a work greater than we can see so I press on doing my best, with a trusting heart, that God will do something amazing.  There are times when I lose sight. Praise God for brothers and sisters in Christ that He has given us so we are not doing this life alone!

Personal Reflection

Where are you most at risk of growing weary?  Is it parenting, pastoring, sharing with friends?  Spend some time thinking about how wonderful the fruit will be in the lives of those you serve.  What positive impacts might they experience?  How might your relationship with them be blessed?

Prayer Focus

Gracious God, we confess to you that we do lose heart, we forget to trust because we long to see fruit. Help us LORD to rest in you and trust in your perfect plan.  Thank you for the challenges we face that you are growing our faith through.   Thank you for bearing fruit in us through Jesus. In His Name we pray, Amen.