Growing Fruit Takes Time – Trusting the Process
Today, on my 77th birthday, John Newton’s honest words resonate deeply: “I am not what I ought to be… but still I am not what I once used to be, and by the grace of God I am what I am.” With the passing years comes a clearer awareness of this truth: growing spiritual fruit takes time.
We live in a culture that values speed and instant results. Yet the wisdom of life—and of faith—tells a different story. There is a phrase that has stayed with me: “The day you plant the seed is not the day you eat the fruit.” It reminds us that anything worthwhile—character, faith, wisdom, love—cannot be rushed. Growth happens slowly, often invisibly, beneath the surface.
James uses a beautiful illustration to make this point:
“Be patient, then, brothers and sisters, until the Lord’s coming. See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop, patiently waiting for the autumn and spring rains” (James 5:7).
The farmer cannot force the seed to grow. He prepares the soil, plants faithfully, and waits—trusting the seasons and the rain to do their work.
Illustration:
An apple tree does not produce fruit the year it is planted. For years it looks unremarkable—just branches and leaves. But underground, roots are deepening, strengthening, preparing to support future fruit. In the same way, God often works in us quietly and slowly, shaping our hearts long before others see the results.
This can be frustrating. We want instant maturity, instant answers, instant holiness. But the fruit of the Spirit—love, joy, peace, patience—ripens over a lifetime, not overnight. Looking back, I can see how God has been faithful, even when progress felt painfully slow.
Challenge:
Ask yourself: Where might God be inviting me to be patient—with myself, with others, or with a situation I cannot control? This week, commit to one small, faithful act—prayer, kindness, perseverance—and trust God with the outcome.
Prayer:
Gracious God, thank you that you are patient with us. When growth feels slow and progress hard to see, help us to trust your timing. Deepen our roots, strengthen our faith, and teach us to wait with hope. May our lives, in time, bear fruit that brings you glory. Amen.
