Follow Me - Devotional on DiscipleshipSample

STEADFASTNESS

As Christians, it's important to recognise that life isn't always smooth sailing. Sometimes we'll be at the peak of a mountain enjoying an incredible view and the richest of blessings. Yet at other times, we'll be dredging our way through a valley and, in those seasons, our lives may look like they're lacking the fruit of our hard work. It is how we deal with these seasons and challenges they bring that will be an example of our faith.

The same can be said for discipleship.

There are going to be seasons where our work feels as though it is in vain (1 Corinthians 15:58); we won't always see the progress, the growth, the fruit, but continue to sow.

A few months ago, we bought a lemon tree for our home. It was such a fun experience going to the store, choosing the plant with the prettiest leaves, selecting the perfect yellow pot (to match the lemons, of course), carefully potting it, and placing it in its joyfully selected position in our home. Every day, my husband would go outside to check the lemon tree's new growth. But much to his disappointment, no growth could be seen, despite giving it everything it needed to succeed: fertilizer, a sunny position and water.

A few weeks went past with little-to-no growth which resulted in my husband no longer checking the plant every day. How often is this the case in your life? Do you remain steadfast in the nurturing season, or do you get disheartened when you don't see any fruit?

The thing is, only a month or so later, in due-season, our lemon tree started to bloom! The growth taking place for those weeks leading up to the blooming wasn't visible, but it was happening. When I think back on my life and reflect on the hours and years of input that my youth leaders invested into me for it all to seem wasted when I went wayward in my later teenage years.But the labour of discipleship is never labour in vain; God was continuing to do a work in my life, and years later, in due-season there was visible fruit.

Don't lose hope.

Don't lose sight.

Don't lose faith.

'And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith." Galatians 6:9-10

DAY TWO ACTION POINT - Commit to take a specific action to sow into a valuable relationship that you want to grow in your life.

PRAYER - Thank you Father, that even when I can't see any good fruit growing, You are still working in my life. Help me to remain steadfast in all seasons. In Jesus' Name, Amen.