When I was in grade school, our class sold flower and vegetable seeds as a fundraiser. For some reason, maybe the pretty red color, I bought a packet of radish seeds. Every morning I’d run out to the garden to check for signs of growth. My dad had told me it would take a couple of weeks, but I couldn’t wait. As the green tops appeared, I’d scrape away the loose soil to spy on the tiny developing fruit. Finally, I couldn’t wait any longer, and pulled one out. I put it back, but alas, it died. Once it was removed, and it’s root formation was disturbed, it failed. I could hear my father saying, “I told you so”, so I didn’t tell him.
So many times we want to rush things along, but God knows better. Take the beautiful poppy. Each spring I look for their hairy leaves and buds. That little kid in me still wants to peek, by opening them up just a bit, but I wait. Slowly, the beauty within pushes through, without my help, until the fully developed flouncy flower arrives.
Waiting is not an easy thing for most of us. The apostle Paul knew what it felt like to wait. He had brought the gospel to so many people, but it was agonizing to watch them mature, he likened it to labor. “Oh, my dear children! I feel as if I'm going through labor pains for you again, and they will continue until Christ is fully developed in your lives.” Galatians 4:19. A pregnant woman longs for the day when she holds her baby in her arms, but she doesn’t want that child to be born until his/her due date. Like that mother, God is eagerly, but patiently is waiting for us to reach maturity in Christ. Each of us develops on our own God-given time schedule, as long as we stay rooted. Don’t get discouraged when you see others maturing more quickly, and whatever you do, Don’t peek!! .
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