“In Due Season”

And he will be like a tree firmly planted [and fed] by streams of water, Which yields its fruit in its season; Its leaf does not wither; And in whatever he does, he prospers [and comes to maturity].

Psalm 1:3 AMP

I’m not ashamed to say I’m a ‘do-er.’ Been this way since the beginning of my time. But it’s what’s fueling that ‘do’ that can be a major roadblock to my spiritual growth.

As a child and as a result of wanting to desperately please others, I perfected my ‘do-ing’ ~~ until it was exhausting. The inner drive to compete (not so much with people, but with their accomplishments) was insatiable. Can anyone relate?

The pursuit to perfection consumed me ~~ everything I attempted had to be just so and nothing less. As an adult, I reasoned that perfection was no worldly good unless it was timely ~~ my time.

This sort of thinking was so wrong in so many ways ~~ but my stinking thinking was justified; so I thought.

Until I came to terms with what God wanted from me wasn’t even my accomplishments, much less the so-called perfection of them.

God wanted (and still wants) only me.

Stripped of my pride, this was the biggest and hardest pill to swallow. So how did I ‘swallow’ this huge pill? Sloooowly and with daily doses of living water.

Surrendering ~~ that’s the yielding part that’s difficult to wrap our minds around. But look at this, Girlfriend ~~ yielding also means to produce. Is it no wonder that God Himself would say this in the Psalms as He did?

As I strolled through our garden, stopping in front of this tangerine tree, I was impressed with the abundance of fruit draped all around her. But most of all, I was inspired by God and His workings in me.

The fruit comes in it’s due season ~~ when it is appointed to bear the fruit she was designed to produce. And when she does, it’s a magnificent sight! But did you know, this tree doesn’t have a bumper crop harvest every year? After the harvesting has been completed, she is pruned back (ouch!) so that she can bear fruit again. But as I said, it won’t occur the same exact time next year ~~ it will happen the following year. And that’s after all the watering and manure that has to be provided; and let’s not forget the obvious: heat of the sun.

Are you still with me, Girlfriend?

Pruning back is when the Lord removes the unnecessary branches ~~ the activities that prevent the growth. They may not necessarily be ‘bad’ in nature ~~ simply not needed. The watering is the daily dose of God’s Word and being in the company of other supportive Believers. The manure (holding nose) are those unpleasant occurrences that we would choose to do without, but God ordains for our growth. And the heat of the sun is the opportunity for us to endure and develop our patience as we wait.

For the right Season. His Season.

Our ‘do’ (due) time ~~ is when God has cultivated us and then anoints us with the ability to produce (whatever He deems for us).

I pray that whatever Season you are in, my Sister, that you will continue to look up and call upon the God Who lovingly designed you for His magnificent Purpose. We are all joining in with you in prayer ~~ for your time will come in due season.

I love you to Heaven and Back, Girlfriend ~~

LindaRJohnson

T2T Visionary