Summertime yields a harvest of sweet tasty berries. Georgia melons are juicy and flavorful. However, as much as I love the fresh fruit of summer, a serving of it fails to keep full for very long.
Now apples and pears have never been my favorites. I eat them because I know they are good for me. These fall fruits are not as sweet, but they do fill me up and keep those hunger pains at bay.
Fall fruits have a long “shelf life” compared to summer fruit. Many last months often holding seeds within that can produce yet another harvest. In contrast, the berries I love last only a few days.
There comes a time to push aside the sweet things that are tasty for those heartier things that will sustain. I love “feel good” devotionals and encouraging words but we must diligently study scripture and spend time with God. We are comforted knowing there are better days ahead, yet we must also weather dark days and disappointments as well.
Spiritual fruit takes time to grow and develop. Many people are led to Christ in a moment, however it often takes decades to transform from who we are to who we can become.
Love, joy and peace are sweet berries for me. But long suffering? Not as tasty! Faithfulness and gentleness require a bit more from me as well. It is those trying experiences that cultivate the characteristics we lack and produce good fruit in us.
The Holy Spirit convicts us to mature in those areas we are deficient. We produce good fruit when we are obedient to Its prodding.
I suppose fall fruits are heartier and more sustaining because they give us what we need to survive the harsh winter. Each of has different “fall fruits,” we need to “digest.”
We grow when we choose things that are good for us and not just what tastes good. Studying scripture sustains. It isn’t as tasty as accepting God’s grace and mercy.
If we are to achieve our dreams, mature and fulfill our purpose, chewing on God’s Word is necessary. It will get us through our “winter” so we can reap a harvest!
“For everyone who partakes only of milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, for he is a babe. But solid food belongs to those who are of full age, that is, those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil,” Hebrews 5:13-14 NKJV
B Is for Blessed! 