Grace Point! March 2015 | Page 19

Scripture is full of analogies of seed, gardens, vineyards, and other agricultural metaphors. Has God given you a seed? An idea? A dream? A vision? A desire of your heart? In the very first stages of growth, when the seed erupts from the ground, it’ is difficult to see what the mature plant will be. This is when it must be protected the most. Frost, heavy rain, or too much sun can wipe out its existence before it has a chance to get established. So, while the root system and the next set of leaves develop, protect the seed you’ve been given with faith and patience, until you see the next stage of growth. You might find that some of the seed are meant to be short-term goals; they mature in just a few weeks, giving you fruit in the same year you planted it. Other seed might be long-term, taking years to mature and bear fruit. In Scripture, the righteous are described as trees, particularly oaks~ for strength and stamina, and palms~ for uprightness and honesty. Regardless of what kind of seed you are nurturing, give it the best care possible, because God will use it to carry out a work that He has been preparing you for all along. You will learn faith and obedience through a squash seed, and you will learn patience and perseverance through an acorn. And you will learn that you are worthy of your calling, by keeping your face looking to the One who first planted the seed in you. photos courtesy of Cheryl via Flickr | License / darius_saulenas via Flickr | License / Stig Nygaard via Flickr | License 19