I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in Me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from Me you can do nothing.  John 15: 5 NLT

“WHY am I still such a little bud hanging here?  I should be a big red apple by now.  Wonder what I can do to make myself grow faster?  So frustrating because it feels like nothing is happening!”

It may sound silly that an apple blossom would get frustrated over its growth.  We all know that it takes months to go from bud to a ready-to-eat apple.

Yet we all are guilty of consciously or unconsciously falling into the same thought pattern.  We want more of God; we want to grow into a deeper relationship with Him.  We get frustrated at the seeming lack of visible growth.  At times it even feels like NOTHING is happening.  We strive to grow (at least I am guilty).  We read books, attend church, go to Bible study, and even attend conferences in an attempt to make something happen.  We feel the need to do SOMETHING.  None of these things are wrong; they will challenge and encourage you BUT they will not produce growth.

There is only one thing to do.  The little apple bud has to just hang on her branch and let the tree do its work.  Likewise, we need to spend time with God, in His presence… probably more than two minutes driving to work or school or grocery store.  As we spend time with God, meditating on His Word and communicating with Him, we too will grow.  If we “hang” in His presence, He will grow you and me; He will heal and restore us into something amazing.  

The frustrating thing is that I cannot DO anything to make myself grow (and neither can you) EXCEPT by spending time with God.  Then it will happen!  Yes it will take time! BUT it will happen.  I have no idea how it happens but I choose to trust that He will do it and choose to rest in the promise of John 15:5.

Join me:

•  in committing to spending some time with Him each day- no guilt trip here! but in order for “hang” with the Lord you actually have to do it, not just talk about it.

• in laying aside your striving and trying to figure it out and let Him do it- that is a hard one isn’t it?

•  in surrendering to His growth time- we chafe at His “slowness” don’t we?