Grateful for the Growth We Can't See - Your Nightly Prayer - November 13th
Grateful for the Growth We Can’t See
Your Nightly Prayer
By Amber Ginter
TONIGHT'S SCRIPTURE
“So neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow.” - 1 Corinthians 3:7, NIV
SOMETHING TO PONDER
Growing up, my grandparents had a garden. From the vast colors of tomatoes to sweet corn, potatoes, peppers, and squash, I was always amazed at what a few mere seeds could produce. Over the years, however, I learned that it wasn't just the seeds that caused the plants to grow. It was the constant patience of ever-endurance through periods of drought, storm, and fury.
Day and night, night and day, I'd watch (and help) my Memo and Papa spend dozens of hours in that garden. They would plant, but they would also water, add fertilizer, and create devices to keep the bugs off. Oh, and the weeds. We often weeded more than we planted. But if we didn't, we knew the plants would never make it.
While my Papa, who ran this garden, has now passed away, I still see my Memo faithfully plant her flowers and tend to that same diligent process. She plants. She waters. She weeds. But as 1 Corinthians 3:7 reminds us, "So neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow." So is the same in life.
We can be so easily discouraged when we try, work hard, and give 1010%, yet we find ourselves at a standstill. The hardships, losses, and painful circumstances we face in this life threaten to beat us down. We wonder if another day is truly worth it. Is it worth it to keep forcing ourselves up, in between the weeds and thickets? The weeds that grow when we never plant them and ceaselessly uproot them. But I'm here to tell you, the answer is a resounding "yes."
Galatians 6:9 says it this way: "Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up" (NIV).
This past week, I had the opportunity to give the NonFiction Address at my Author Conservatory Graduation. In that speech, I reminded students and staff alike not to grow weary of doing good, and that's my prayer of encouragement for you today. Because we can't always see what God is doing, but we can choose to be grateful for the growth we can't see. Even when it doesn't feel like it, He is working. He's up to something. And your suffering, pain, and all those fights with the weeds—they will serve a purpose. You just might not see it yet.
YOUR NIGHTLY PRAYER
Dear God,
When the weeds and chaos of this life threaten to choke us out, please help us to find strength, energy, and redemption in you. We know that you work all things together for our good and your glory, and no matter what we go through, allow us to represent your name. Especially as we're tempted to give up or throw in the towel, strengthen us. We love, praise, trust, and thank you, Jesus.
Amen.
THREE THINGS TO MEDITATE UPON
1. Read Galatians 6:9. Journal about a time when God produced something in you after a difficult season.
2. Go to a pumpkin patch and look at the pumpkins. Then, consider how a small seed could produce such an abundant fruit. Pick out a pumpkin, and after you're done with it, plant the seeds. Ask God to use these seeds as an illustration of what He will do in your life.
3. Take time to journal a prayer to God about the hidden work He's doing in you. Express your fears, discomfort, worries, and excitement honestly. Then, sing a song of praise in thanksgiving.
Reflect on tonight’s prayer and share how God met you there. Join the Your Nightly Prayer discussion on the Crosswalk Forum.
Photo Credit: ©Pexels/Jonathan Petersson
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