Transformation rarely happens overnight. But I can assure you that if you are willing to have the courage to persevere it will come. The flowerbed I desired came only through steady, persistent labor, followed by patient waiting. Just because I believed I had finally removed the root, I didn’t turn around and start planting new flowers right away. I had put too much work in to rush to the finish line. I wanted to give the ground time to confirm to me that I had indeed won this battle. So I waited. I waited a whole 2 years before I planted anything.
Why? I wanted to ensure that if anything was going to grow back I could confidently go back and dig it out again and not sacrifice other plants, money or time. Sure enough I had a few plants show up, and they were quickly dealt with. They were not going to have a chance to grow those deep roots again. For this season I had to persevere with great patience.
After a season of not seeing any new shoots of the plant, I began gradually adding plants into the area. As much as I wanted to fill it all in right away, I took time to add things in. I chose each plant and placed them carefully, continuing to watch for any signs of the invasive plant coming back.
In the same way, God’s work in us unfolds over time. As we surrender our hearts and lives to God, He reveals the weeds we need to get rid of. We cannot rush things. We need to give God time to fully do His work in us. We have to persevere through time of waiting to ensure roots are fully dealt with so they don’t come back and destroy what has been carefully pruned and planted. If we listen to Holy Spirit closely, he will direct our steps; when it is time to move forward, what to plant and where, and when we need to step back and wait.
As we faithfully cooperate with Him, planting only that which He wants cultivated in our lives, He gradually forms in us a life that reflects His beauty and grace, even when the reward seems delayed.
Reflect:
Where do I need to learn to persevere as God directs my life?
Are the things God is telling to wait on? Is God telling me to move and I’m resisting?
Pray:
Thank you God that you have only good plans for me. Help me to walk in your plans for me and have the courage to move when you say move, and the patience to wait when you say not now. I put my trust in you as one who knit me together in my mother’s womb to prune and uproot what doesn’t belong so that the harvest I bring You is more abundant.
Beverly Ajtay
Administrative Support
