I bought an amaryllis bulb this past November. I saw it at Walmart for five dollars and thought it was a small investment for what I knew would happen, as I don’t have the best record for keeping plants alive. There wasn’t much to the bulb. At first appearance, it looked like nothing could come from it. I went ahead and planted that bulb in the soil, watered it a bit, and waited. Sure enough, in the dead of winter, it began to sprout. Every day I would return to see it had grown even more. It was amazing to watch. If I stood and stared at it, I didn’t see any growth, but if I came back in 24 hours, it had shot up another inch. I kept discovering new stalks popping up every day. 

That bulb did no work or striving to grow. It just sat its little self in that soil and let me water it. It effortlessly produced the most beautiful pink blossoms. When Jesus referred to the flowers and said they “do not labor or spin,” He was well aware of this growing process. In another parable, He explained that our hearts are like the soil and God’s Word the seed (Matthew 13). 

Our part is to get the seed inside of us and let it dwell richly in us through Bible study and meditation. God’s part is to cause it to grow. He does the work through His Holy Spirit in us. Being faithful in this over days, weeks, months, and years, I’ve been amazed at His faithfulness as His Word has begun to blossom so many beautiful fruits from the life of the Spirit living in me.   

Instead of striving to be patient, let Jesus produce His patience in you. Instead of striving to have joy, let Jesus birth His joy in you. Instead of striving to love others, let Jesus put His love in your heart. We abide in Him as He works it out in us. You’ll be amazed at what you see come forth from your life as you rest in and trust His growing process in your life.