Children are dependent on other people. They depend on people for the basics in life: food, a place to sleep, safety…children can’t provide these things for themselves. They simply have to trust that someone else will give them the things that they need. Not only do we need to be like children in terms of accepting discipline and direction, we also need to be accepting of the fact that we’re dependent on God. He’s the One who can provide for us, not only for our physical needs but also for our spiritual needs. We’re instructed not to worry: ‘Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear’ (Matthew 6:25 NIV). Instead, we need to ‘seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well’ (Matthew 6:33 NIV). We can trust Him to give us everything we need. Jesus uses the example of a vine and its branches to show us how we’re dependent on Him. He says: ‘No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me…apart from me you can do nothing’ (John 15:4-5 NIV). As the branches are dependent on the vine for their survival, so we’re dependent on God for our fruitfulness. We can’t do the things that God’s calling us to do, or be the people He wants us to be, without being connected and dependent on Him. Basically, we can’t do it alone. We need God.
What now?
Find a time-lapse video online that shows fruit growing. Bookmark it and then watch it whenever you need to remind yourself that real growth takes time. that you can rely on God to help you grow.