What we need if we want to grow fruit—or a relationship with God
By Dean Collins
Sometimes it takes a few seasons before there is much fruit. Some plants and fruit trees take three or four years before they bear fruit. And then they often are more productive in alternating years instead of every year.
It is interesting, then, to consider how often we slip into the assumption that every season of life should always be a time of great accomplishments. Even though this isn't true with other things God created, we tend to expect it to be so with us.
I can handle the times your life isn’t productive. I will even offer empathy and prayer for you. Yet I tend to expect that my life always is a harvest season of full productivity with no waiting or times of drought. Many believers live with this unhealthy expectation.
But life, sustenance, and strength ultimately come from a divine source. Every other person and strategy bring no guarantee in times of drought and in seasons of waiting.
‘I can do it’
Jeremiah brought a warning to those in Jerusalem and Judah that rings true for us today as well. When we trust in ourselves, in government, in our tribes, or any group other than God as provider, then we demonstrate that we have yet to learn that life, sustenance, and strength ultimately come from a divine source. Every other person and strategy brings no guarantee in times of drought and in seasons of waiting.
Instead of repentance and trusting in the Lord, Judah continued to trust in various alliances with other countries and kings. The writer of Chronicles reminds us that God is always looking far and wide to find those who will trust completely in him and not in what we think we or someone else can conjure up to sustain or rescue us.
This is a very hard lesson for leaders. We tend to think we were hired because we are the best, the brightest, the fixers, the providers, the ones who produce the outcomes. And when the outcomes we seek are achieved, the rewards we leaders receive may serve to reinforce the belief. Yet no leader can control the buyer, the economy, the timing of technological failure, or the supply chain. And every one of these factors can impact outcomes.
‘It’s in God’s hands’
We mustn’t think Jeremiah is suggesting that leaders and others simply sit back and wait on God. God expects us to pray for wisdom and to use the wisdom provided to take active steps in our business and life. But ultimately our reliance on the outcome is always in the hands of God.
You do not have to live long to learn that sooner or later (and sometimes often) we experience times of drought. Jeremiah’s words become very personal as he continues. They apply to you, to me, to everyone: “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it?”
Can you argue otherwise? In moments of transparency wouldn’t we all admit we are not only vulnerable to deceit, but we have also committed deceit? We have failed to speak and live the truth every minute and every day. If this weren’t true, we would not need a Savior. Jeremiah continues his words: “I the Lord search the heart and test the mind, to give every man according to his ways, according to the fruit of his deeds.”
Jeremiah’s response to God’s search is quick and clear: “Heal me, O Lord, and I shall be healed; save me, and I shall be saved, for you are my praise.”
Since our hearts often deceive us and our human self-reliance creeps in quickly, it seems wise that today we begin with a confession to God of trusting self much too often. We pray, heal us O Lord. Forgive our weak and feeble attempts to be responsible for that which only you can provide.
May we plant our roots in the wisdom and character of God today so that in every season we trust in his provision and never just ourselves.
Your time with God’s Word
Jeremiah 17:5-10, 14; Psalm 1:3 ESV
Photo by Jen Theodore at Pexels.com
To receive daily posts delivered directly to your inbox, complete the form at the bottom of our home page.
To download a printable version of today’s post, click here.
