A Little Sadness at the First Freeze

As I post this, I mused about the summer of 2011 when the drought interfered with the productivity of  Dad's garden. I insisted in dragging the hose down the rows determined to keep the withering tomato plants on life support. More than once Dad called from his chair, "Let 'em go! They're dead!" My ultra-sensitivity caused me to persist well past fruitfulness!

Sadness over an Interruption in Fruitfulness

                As the meteorologist began predicting frost and freeze dates for our location, I mourned a bit. I told Mother a few weeks ago how prolific the perky, tiny yellow blooms were on a couple of the tomato plants. The mention of frost and freeze saddened me. Several of the hearty tomato plants would soon have their fruitfulness terminated abruptly.

One of the hearty tomato plants late in the season.

                The words of Jesus came to mind as I looked at those doomed plants. Jesus answered his disciples with these words recorded in John 9:4 -

I must work the works of Him who sent Me while it is day; the night is coming when no one can work.

Jesus indicated there was a time of productivity in His ministry on earth. In the same way, there are timely windows of opportunities for us. Paul uses the phrase “redeeming the time.” My grandpa, Calvin Callcayah Smith, loved to read the Phillips translation of the New Testament. This is how Ephesians 5:15-17 is rendered:

Live life, then, with a due sense of responsibility, not as men who do not know the meaning and purpose of life but as those who do. Make the best use of your time, despite all the difficulties of these days. Don’t be vague but firmly grasp what you know to be the will of God.

                When I have been questioned about knowing the will of God, I start with the words of Jesus from John 6:40 when He succinctly answered that question-

“And this is the will of Him who sent Me, that everyone who sees the Son and believes in Him may have everlasting life; and I will raise him up at the last day.”

Our starting point in knowing and doing the will of God begins with a belief in Jesus, the Son of God. This belief indicates a reliance on Him much as a child has complete dependence on the parent for all that is needed for that little one to exist. Some people confuse Biblical belief in Jesus with a mental assent or acknowledgement that someone such as George Washington lived. Agreeing that George Washington lived doesn’t alter our daily lives. Even if we add to our belief that Washington was an American Revolutionary War hero, the first United States president, and an influential founding father, our day-to-day existence remains unaffected. But Biblical belief in Jesus involves embracing His perfection. Only the perfect Son of God could die for our sins. The believer is assured of everlasting life because of the promise of Jesus to raise up that person that believes.

                One certainty of this life is that change will take place. Opportunities to do the will of God may disappear never to be presented again. I am keenly aware of how quickly occasions for ministry can disappear. Over my life, I have become painfully aware of limited chances to share the good news of Jesus and impact lives for good. I seek to heed the words and actions of Jesus and utilize the present time and opportunities.

                My mother celebrated her 94^th birthday last month. She commented to me how rapidly time seems to fly by. Her statement typified why intentional living in the present is essential to fruitfulness. Remorse over the past and worry about the future rob us of precious time and interrupt living fully in the present moment.

                One of the most important aspects of living in the present involves encouraging those God brings across our path. Our encouragement should reach the young who are beginning their walk with the Lord. Others need uplifting as they struggle with recovery from perceived failure. Fatigued and weary people we encounter benefit from our urging them to continue doing what is good and right, resisting the impulse to quit. In return, we receive profit from each person we encourage! This type of living ensures fruitfulness year-round in our lives and in those we encounter daily - no matter how cold it gets. Frost and freezing will not interfere with this fruitful productivity. 

                Finally, one of my favorite verse prayers in the Bible is in the Apostle John’s third epistle. What a beautiful prayer for someone in whom you see or desire to see fruitfulness! Nothing could bring more joy than prosperity of the soul of a loved one. 

Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers.

III John 2

              Our Thanksgiving observances this week will likely afford an opportunity to encourage fruitfulness in at least one cherished family member. May this action make this a memorable Thanksgiving with far-reaching effects.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!