In Due SeasonSample

  

The Value of the Wait 

As the temperature begins to drop in the fall in the United States, many individuals venture out to pumpkin patches and apple farms. During this time of the year, you can find droves of people in the apple orchards picking the lush apples during harvest time. Having never ventured out to an orchard, I put on cozy fall gear and headed out to the fields to partake in the activities.

As I looked at some of the full-grown trees that I easily plucked apples from, I began to wonder how long some of these apples had been planted before anything could be harvested from them. I did some research, and on average, it takes 8-10 years to produce a crop from an apple tree! Everything that happens in the 8-10 years will dictate the type of harvest a farmer stands to have at the end of that journey. 

This made me think of when we are on journeys that God takes us through in our lives. You could be waiting to get married, break out into your career, business success, or even to have children. Whatever that journey is, there is always some forms of waiting associated with that journey. Within the process, sometimes it can feel like you are stuck and nothing is happening. However, the Bible says that we should not grow weary or tired when we are doing good. It is because eventually when the time is right, we will reap what we sow. Galatians 6:9 reads, “And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.” The key here is that we cannot give up even when we grow weary. We must continue to press forward!

I would imagine that this is what it is like when you plant an apple tree. You cannot really see the fruit of what it will become. It is only a seed. However, with the right care and preparation, the apple tree will eventually yield a large crop. However, it requires patience. Your seed may be the promise you are holding onto. It may be the thing you are believing God for. However, during this season of waiting, do not lose heart. Even though you wait, there are still things you need to do to be prepared and successful once that harvest comes, and it will come! No matter how it looks, you will sow for what you have planted. As we journey through the next few days, we will look at some ways in which we can prepare ourselves for our harvest in the period of waiting. 

Reflection:

1. What seeds or dreams are you waiting to spring forth in your life?

2. How are you navigating the waiting period?

3. What are some things you can think of that will help with your preparation?

Prayer:

Dear Jesus, 

Lord help me in this season of waiting to understand that everything that I am doing during this season has a purpose. Help me to know that although I cannot see the harvest, if I am diligent, I will reap in due season. Help me to know what I should be doing during this season of waiting. 

In Jesus name, 

Amen