If We Do Not Give Up
If We Do Not Give Up
Several weeks ago I wrote about my salsa garden. More specifically, I wrote about my heirloom tomato plant that was “thriving”… unless you take into account that it had not produced a single blossom.
I had done all the right things – babied it, watered it, weeded all around it – and nothing. After yelling at the plant – yes, I am that person – I was hit in the face with the reality that I, too, have been given everything I need. And I, too, have had moments that are anything but fruitful.
After all of that, I found myself here:
I confessed that I have not been keeping my eyes on Jesus. And I asked His forgiveness and thanked Him for His mercy. I asked the Spirit to work in me- make me more like Jesus.
And then I asked the Lord for my tomato plant to bear fruit. Now, I don’t know if He will answer the prayer about the tomato plant. But I do know He will keep working on me – He does not stop what He starts until it is finished. And He gives me all I need to thrive. Can I get an amen?!
I walked out two weeks later to see blossoms covering the plant. Another week later I saw a green little tomato growing.
Listen – I lost it.
The Lord had answered my prayer. I know it just seems like such a silly thing to ask for a tomato, but He cares – He dresses the lilies, He watches over the sparrows. He produces fruit. I just felt His love so strongly in that moment. Why would I worry about a single thing?
The more I looked at the tomato, I saw its flaws. It really is ugly to look at, hahaha. But honestly it is the most beautiful tomato I have ever seen because it reminds me so much of who God is:
He is El Roi - He sees me and hears my cry.
He is kind and He cares about the little details of my life.
He is sovereign over all creation.
He is growing me, pruning me, never giving up on me.
Right after Paul encourages us to walk by the Spirit and identifies the fruits of the Spirit in Galatians 5, he continues in chapter 6 with instruction on how the church should love others in the church. We don't give up on each other in the same way Christ never gave up on us. Hey, kind of like how I did not give up on my tomato plant.
Galatians 6:7-9 sticks out to me:
Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap. For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life. And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. There will be a harvest if we don’t give up.
So Church, let’s keep going. Keep following Him. Let’s keep forgiving, keep making peace, keep loving others even when it is hard.
We will reap what we sow – let's sow in the Spirit that others would see us and be drawn to Him. And yes, sometimes it will be a little ugly, sometimes it will be hard. But He sees you and hears your cry.
He is kind and faithful.
He is sovereign and He will finish what He started.
And one day, the reward will be out of this world. Way better than my miracle tomato.
I had done all the right things – babied it, watered it, weeded all around it – and nothing. After yelling at the plant – yes, I am that person – I was hit in the face with the reality that I, too, have been given everything I need. And I, too, have had moments that are anything but fruitful.
After all of that, I found myself here:
I confessed that I have not been keeping my eyes on Jesus. And I asked His forgiveness and thanked Him for His mercy. I asked the Spirit to work in me- make me more like Jesus.
And then I asked the Lord for my tomato plant to bear fruit. Now, I don’t know if He will answer the prayer about the tomato plant. But I do know He will keep working on me – He does not stop what He starts until it is finished. And He gives me all I need to thrive. Can I get an amen?!
I walked out two weeks later to see blossoms covering the plant. Another week later I saw a green little tomato growing.
Listen – I lost it.
The Lord had answered my prayer. I know it just seems like such a silly thing to ask for a tomato, but He cares – He dresses the lilies, He watches over the sparrows. He produces fruit. I just felt His love so strongly in that moment. Why would I worry about a single thing?
The more I looked at the tomato, I saw its flaws. It really is ugly to look at, hahaha. But honestly it is the most beautiful tomato I have ever seen because it reminds me so much of who God is:
He is El Roi - He sees me and hears my cry.
He is kind and He cares about the little details of my life.
He is sovereign over all creation.
He is growing me, pruning me, never giving up on me.
Right after Paul encourages us to walk by the Spirit and identifies the fruits of the Spirit in Galatians 5, he continues in chapter 6 with instruction on how the church should love others in the church. We don't give up on each other in the same way Christ never gave up on us. Hey, kind of like how I did not give up on my tomato plant.
Galatians 6:7-9 sticks out to me:
Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap. For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life. And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. There will be a harvest if we don’t give up.
So Church, let’s keep going. Keep following Him. Let’s keep forgiving, keep making peace, keep loving others even when it is hard.
We will reap what we sow – let's sow in the Spirit that others would see us and be drawn to Him. And yes, sometimes it will be a little ugly, sometimes it will be hard. But He sees you and hears your cry.
He is kind and faithful.
He is sovereign and He will finish what He started.
And one day, the reward will be out of this world. Way better than my miracle tomato.
Posted in Alexis Weekly