All Things Take Time to Grow - The Crosswalk Devotional - August 12
All Things Take Time to Grow
By Hannah Benson
Bible Reading:
“And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.” - Galatians 6:9 ESV
Have you ever seen a California redwood, proudly standing hundreds of feet tall? I’ve not had the pleasure of seeing one in person myself, but I’ve had friends who’ve visited California tell me of their magnificence and share pictures with me.
Admittedly, I don’t know much about redwoods—or any kind of tree for that matter—but I know enough to know that those trees didn’t just grow overnight. Some of the tallest redwoods in the world have been around for hundreds or thousands of years, and while they’re beautiful and unrivaled in their magnificence, they didn’t just appear that way. They had to grow, and their growth took time.
If there’s one thing the Lord has been cultivating in me lately, it’s the idea that all things—not just redwoods—take time. I can naturally be an impatient person and want to see growth or the fruit of my labor now. But as the Lord said in Habakkuk 2:3 (ESV), “For still the vision awaits its appointed time; it hastens to the end—it will not lie. If it seems slow, wait for it; it will surely come; it will not delay.”
God, being sovereign, no doubt knew that His people would struggle and yearn to rush His timing. But notice Scripture says, “if it seems slow” not “if it is slow”. God’s plans for growth in our lives are never slow even if they seem so.
Like a tree that grows so tall after years of growth, so all things take time in our lives. When we plant vegetables or flowers, we don’t expect to reap the fruits of our labor the next day. Why? Because we know growth takes time. We must nurture the plant and patiently wait for change to occur. Why then do we not trust the Master Gardener, knowing His work in our lives will grow in due time?
As vegetables or flowers in a summer garden take time, it also takes the right environment for them to grow. You can’t plant a pumpkin patch in the middle of winter and expect anything to grow. You also can’t prematurely harvest something that’s not ready to be picked. Farmers know the right time to harvest the fruits of their labor, and so does God.
As Paul writes to the church in Corinth, “I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth” (1 Corinthians 3:6 ESV). When it comes to sharing the love of Jesus Christ with others or growing a ministry or business, the only thing we can do is be faithful with what has been entrusted to us and trust God will give the growth as He sees fit. And if growth comes, it’s vital for us to remember Who gave the growth.
Intersecting Faith & Life:
I’ll be the first to admit that waiting isn’t easy. I would rather see growth now than wait patiently, but prematurely harvesting in our timing will only lead to unripe produce. As difficult as it is to wait, we must trust the Gardener and believe the harvest, when it comes in His timing, will be better than if we were to “pick the produce” prematurely.
“And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up” (Galatians 6:9 ESV). Do you believe this promise? At the right time, we shall reap the rewards and blessings of obedience if we remain faithful and do not give up. With reassurance like that, I’m encouraged to trust, wait, and be patient knowing growth in God’s timing is better than growth in my own timing. Are you?
Pray With Me: Dear Father, thank You for this reminder that all things take time to grow. I know I can get impatient often, wanting what I want when I want it. Please help me to trust You, knowing You have my best interests at heart. Even when it’s hard to believe sometimes, help me to remember that growth is never slow, even if it seems so. I don’t have to fear falling behind because if I’m following You, there is no such thing. I know I’m right where I’m meant to be. Thank You. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Photo Credit: Unsplash/Markus Spiske
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