Living in Comfort

When do we grow more fruitful?

Spring is the time for prepping and readying plants to be bountiful. It is our responsibility to connect with our plants and provide a source of nourishment by fertilizing and pruning to encourage more abundant fruit. Just like plants, humans need to nurture and connect to grow more bountiful. However, not all connection is healthy. As humans, we are easily influenced and distracted in this world. We tend to become more influenced by those we spend time with, not the other way around. It is important to establish what and who we long to be more close with, the world or God. It is usually in times that are uncomfortable when we grow.

If you think about it, there is not a lot of change going on when life is comfortable. In comfort, we do not rely on anyone but ourselves. We make our own plans. We have our own agenda. We dream of what we think will better our lives. We become distant from our Creator. I read an appropriate quote from Dave Ramsey recently. It read, "Strength comes from stress, not from being comfortable. You atrophy from being comfortable. You only strengthen from leaning in." We are called to be disciplined and lean in to reach our goals, and produce an abundant harvest. We must tend to our crops in order for them to grow abundantly. They must be nurtured, pruned, and fed....not much different than humans.

In this season, it is good to acknowledge that fruit has seasons of needs that must be executed. We cannot just leave fruit alone to thrive, and produce it's best harvest. Our connection with Christ must be "locked in," as our Pastor says, for us to fully live an abundant life. The Bible and Jesus state, it differently. We must abide in Him and in His Word. Remain.

Jesus spoke of His Helper, whom He would send to those who believe in Him. His Helper is His Spirit. As believers we must spend time with the Spirit to grow closer and produce His qualities. In the Bible, it states that "the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self- control." -Galatians 5: 22-23 These are not qualities that are achieved by living comfortably in this world. Time must be spent in uncomfortable experiences. We must be uncomfortable sometimes to draw closer to Christ and gain good character which will produce abundant fruit.

Think about it, when do we tend to cry out to God? For me, it is when life has pushed me to a breaking point. Also, through suffering, I am drawn closer to Christ. No one likes to hear complaints on repeat from someone who is suffering. This will only end up isolating the one who suffers. Everyone admires someone who endures without compliant. Leaning into Christ in these challenging times will help us grow more fruitful and build a stronger character of Christ.

"But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you." -John 14: 26