January 7th Devotion

Slow Growth Is Strong Growth
By Ashley Moore 

“He is like a tree planted by water, that sends out its roots by the stream, and does not fear when heat comes, for its leaves remain green, and is not anxious in the year of drought, for it does not cease to bear fruit.” - Jeremiah 17:8, ESV

My firstborn son is named Cypress as a nod to a verse we pray and declare over his life. We desire that he will be like the tree described in Jeremiah 17:8, rooted deeply and securely near the Water Source and always bearing fruit all the days of his life. But if you know anything about trees, you know that the strongest trees grow the slowest. And some trees take years before they are mature enough to bear fruit.

Have you ever had to endure longer than you wanted to see substantial growth in your life?

Are you still battling your short temper even though you've been working on self-control for years?

Did you make a decision to live healthier, but after months of commitment, you still haven't seen your desired results?

Are you anxious to tackle your next goal, but feel sidelined by your current season of life?

Whatever the case, may I encourage you today that slow growth is good growth because slow growth is strong growth.

Strong Roots Require Time to Grow Deep
God desires that we bear fruit. John 15:8 says, “When you produce much fruit, you are my true disciples. This brings great glory to my Father.” But just like a tree, before we can ever think about bearing fruit for God’s glory, we have to ensure we are tapped into a steady water supply. As Christians, we must be rooted in Scripture, attuned to the Spirit, and follow the commands of God. He is our living water. But much like other areas of growth, growing these deep relational roots in Jesus Christ takes time. But once roots are established, we can go on to grow into a strong, mature, fruit-bearing tree!

Cultivating Character Takes Time
The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Galatians 5:22). But if you are anything like me, my flesh often arrives quicker to the scene than my fruit if you know what I mean. Our flesh is another word picture from Scripture to describe our sinful nature. Our fleshly reactions are often in direct opposition to the fruit God wants to bear in our lives.

However, as we partner with God to do the long and often tedious work of growth, His Spirit will bear the fruit He desires in our lives. Many times growth will look like repeatedly showing up to read God’s Word, meeting with Christian community, and practicing other spiritual disciplines like prayer, meditation, and discipling others as the Spirit leads. Nothing novel about the process, but when repeated over time yields much fruit by cultivating character in us!

My prayer for my son is also my prayer for you, believer. Especially, if you have grown weary with slow growth. May you stick close to the Living Water Source, and bear much fruit for His glory.