The Patience of Planting: Staying When It's Easier to Move On

"A time to plant" Ecclesiastes 3:3

In Genesis chapter 2:8, "God PLANTED a garden." It is the same word used in Ecclesiastes, meaning "established." 

"Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything." (James 1:4)

When we think about planting, we usually think of sowing or transplanting seedlings into the ground. Here in the Philippines, there are annual "tree planting" activities which involve digging and positioning small trees for reforestation projects or protective coastal mangroves. 

Enthusiastic planters arrive at the coastline or forest areas with their shovels, dig a few holes, transfer the seedlings, take a few photographs, and then they leave. The survival rate of these trees is less than 50%. Most die in the first five years. That is NOT the type of planting we find in this scripture! 

Establishing a garden is not just placing plants or seeds into the soil. It is a long and involved process of commitment, time, energy, patience, skill, and understanding. I started growing fruit trees from leftover seeds during the pandemic lockdowns. Now, five years later, we have finally harvested the first fruits

Long Term Investments

Planting is more than a one-season investment. It is staying the course to establish the tree, strengthen it, and monitor its development. 

Every vision worth growing needs someone willing to stay.

Many believers are eager with an exciting, fresh vision; pioneering and planting something new with initial passion and purpose. In reality, few are fully committed to the long haul of staying, pruning, weeding, fertilising, watering, and responding to the daily needs.

Showing up daily, month after month, year after year is a sacrificial investment. Establishing is responding continually and consistently, without the "success" or signs of visible fruit for years! 

Staying Power

I wonder how long God spent in His garden? Scripture says He established it, so there was undoubtedly an appointed time with purpose and intention. God's long-term desire is obviously flourishing, but I am sure His garden also went through due growth and maturation processes. God is never in a rush for quick success results! 

Faithfulness in the slow waiting season leads to lasting fruit.

We need to learn to stay and complete the full process of the planting season and understand what establishing is, so we don't just have one season of harvest but see the MULTIPLICATION and ongoing INCREASE of harvests to follow! 

This is not a lesson about patience, but of faithful follow-through commitment.

🌿Have I been tempted to move on too quickly from something that needs time to take root?

🌿How do I ensure that what I plant aligns with God’s purposes rather than my impatience or ambition?

🌿How can I remain faithful in this planting season, knowing that endurance today prepares me for tomorrow’s multiplication?

💫 Was this encouraging? Share it with someone who needs a reminder that staying and persevering are the steps of faithfulness for harvest!

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