Daylilies and irises burst through the crusty earth, long before the threat of frost had passed. Grass took on the color of emeralds. Buds on the old apple tree began to unfurl like crisp white linen. But the grapevine lay dormant. Waiting. Content to rest until its appointed time. I watched it morning by morning wondering when its tiny buds would appear.
The Grapevine Lay Dormant, Waiting for Its Appointed Time
An early spring cool snap crossed the mountain. Some of the iris fronds tinged brown. I held my breath for the tender apple blossoms, wondering if they could survive the chill. Their sweet fruit would be in danger if frost crowned the cool air.
But the grapevine still lay dormant, waiting for its appointed time … its fruit safe from a killing frost.
I wonder how often we are content to wait for God’s appointed time to produce our spiritual fruit — the fruit of our labor — after a long, cold winter of the soul. It’s hard to wait. But I’m learning that the more I trust in God’s sovereignty – His authority – the more productive the fruit of my life and labor will be. If I push ahead of the Lord, taking matters into my own hands, my fruit is in danger of being snuffed out by an unexpected chill.
God’s timing – His appointed time – is perfection in motion.
The cool snap passed, taking some tender apple blossoms with it. The spring sun warmed the earth with persistence, stabilizing the temperatures. Within several days of the last frost, I noticed tiny buds beginning to bulge along the grapevine tendrils. They reminded me of tiny rosebuds rich with promise, tinged with the blush of spring. Their timing was perfect.
Though It Tarries, Wait For It
Just as the grapevine waited patiently for its appointed time to bud, I’m learning to wait.
After all, God’s appointed time for all things is perfection in motion.
“For the vision is yet for an appointed time; But at the end it will speak, and it will not lie. Though it tarries, wait for it; Because it will surely come. It will not tarry.” ~ Habakkuk 2:4
Selah
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Sweet blessings to you,
