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(Mark 4:26-29) āHe was also saying, āThe kingdom of God is like a man who scatters seeds on the ground. He sleeps and gets up night and day while the seeds sprout and grow, although he doesn’t know how. The ground produces grain by itself, first the stalk, then the head, then the full grain in the head. But when the grain is ripe, he immediately starts cutting with his sickle because the harvest time has come.ā”
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In nature, in order to have a healthy and fruitful harvest, there are certain stages that cannot be skipped or forced. Sure, through modern science we get larger, faster-growing, and more attractive fruits, vegetables, and animals. However, we all agree that they no longer have the taste or nutrients God intended. Our spiritual growth also has a process that needs to be respected.
I know of a lady therapist who works with adults who have speech impediments as well as other deep emotional issues. After years of research, she devised a machine that would make the adults crawl like babies as part of the treatment. Immediately there would be a great improvement in their speech and they were able to open up with their emotions. Apparently, these adults had skipped the crawling stage as babies which affected the proper development of parts of their brains that controlled communication.
When you chose to surrender to Jesus, there is a process you have to go through. You first will feel completely alone, not sure what is going on or what to do next. However very soon you will start to love what God loves and you will reject the sin that once attracted you. Donāt worry about the sin that still temps you, just continue to fill your mind with the Word of God. If you expect to become holy overnight, then you will probably give up out of frustration when you fail to be perfect.
As you pray, God will start to answer through His Word, through sermons, through other believers, and even through things that happen in your daily life. The more you read the Word of God, the more you will start to understand what is written, and one day when the Pastor preaches on a particular passage, you will say to yourself with satisfactionā¦ āI already knew thatā.
Not only will God start to answer your prayers, but you will be bold enough to pray for others. You will be rejected, insulted, and mocked, but this will make you stronger in your faith as you will witness how lives are transformed because of your obedience.
This process might be different in speed and intensity for each one of us, but it is something that cannot be skipped or forced. It can involve suffering rejection, insecurity about Godās love for you, doubt if you made the right choice, and joy that makes you dance in Godās presence. It might also involve tears that will lead you to repentance, patience that only comes through facing tribulation, betrayal from those you helped, signs and wonders that will confirm the Holy Spirit living in you, and above all, a time when nothing happens while you continue to wait for God to fulfill His promises.
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Just like in nature, we can damage the harvest by artificially forcing it to mature too fast. Enjoy this very moment of struggle, as your roots are being strengthened and soon a life-giving flower will bloom.
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Prayers
ā¢ Heavenly Father, You are the one who beautifies the humble with salvation. To the humble, Lord You teach Your way. He who teaches sinners in the way.
ā¢ Thank you Father that there is a timing for all things under Your will.
ā¢ Thank You that we start off as babes and you give us exactly what we need in order to be nourished.
ā¢ Forgive us for not having the patience to understand that You are working with us at our capacity to grow.
ā¢ We ask that we not become stagnant or discouraged because of what we are currently facing.
ā¢ Teach us Lord, how to make the most of every stage in our life.
ā¢ We ask that we will be expectant for You to answer every petition.
ā¢ Give us the faith that is needed to wait on You while we continue to work for Your kingdom.
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ā¢ We ask in Jesusā Mighty Name. Amen