I was thinking about toil and trouble as I was picking blueberries and blackberries and watering the garden.
My garden is not producing like I would have liked or expected. I got it planted later than I wanted to because it was so wet so late. Then the deer very happily ate the cucumbers, beans, cantaloupe, strawberry leaves, and tomatoes when they first came up!!! Seriously!! Ron and I have taken some measures to discourage the deer. But the result of their nightly smorgasbord munching has set my garden back enormously. Then the extreme heat, the myriad of bugs, and dry conditions haven’t helped.
Nevertheless, the blueberries are trying. The early variety was nice and plump. The variety which ripens in July are not nearly so large and juicy. Nevertheless, they are plentiful. As I was picking blueberries this morning, I was struck by the realization that regardless of the difficulties and obstacles the plants face, they are still trying to produce fruit. Well, some of them are. The blueberries and blackberries are trying. On the other hand, the tomatoes have lots of blooms. The plants look dark green and healthy, but have very little fruit. The difficulties they experienced have resulted in limited production. I’ve weeded. I’ve mulched. I’m watering. Still on 35 plants I have five little tomatoes set on. I’m not happy.
Do you think God feels like that toward us? Jesus told us that in this life we would have trouble. We should expect difficulties and obstacles. So then, what do we do? Do we hunker down and just wait for the return of Jesus? Or like I said, go back to bed and pull the covers over my head, hoping it will all go away? Or do we tighten our belt, adjust our hat, straighten our shoulders, and resolve to produce fruit for the Master regardless of the difficulties and obstacles?
I know some people who exhibit peace, calm, and pleasantness regardless of the problems they are experiencing. To look at them, you’d never know that life has thrown them a nasty curveball in the bottom of the ninth with the game on the line. And we’re not just talking about limited tomato production! These folks are struggling with severe issues.
I suspect that, for these folks, the peace they exude is not just a facade, but is very real evidence of their faith in the Master, in His provision, His sovereignty, and His goodness. Their peace is faith in action; it’s producing fruit for the Kingdom.
There are things we can do to help a garden be productive in the midst of a hot, dry summer. Of course, water is essential. But, in the end, God gives the increase. And that’s the key to my own emotional malaise, isn’t it? My loving Heavenly Father is still in control; He’s sovereign. He knows what I need to shape me into a useful tool for now and for in the kingdom. I need to take my eyes off this world and keep them firmly fixed on Jesus Christ.
And who knows, with all of those blooms, maybe I’ll have lots of tomatoes before the summer is over.