Galatians 6:9 “Let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we will reap if we do not grow weary.”

It never ceases to amaze me when God uses His creation to speak.

This is not some kind of new or mysterious word from Him, but a gentle reminder of what He has already told us in His Word.

It happened again today.

Discouragement had found an unguarded pathway into my mind, and I was struggling, wondering if my efforts toward certain hoped-for outcomes were making any difference at all. My spirit felt withered, and I was overwhelmed with weariness.

So, I decided to take a day and do nothing of importance. No striving. No producing. No deep thinking.

Instead of jumping into the usual rat race, I chose to take a relaxing stroll.

As I stepped outside into the balmy air, I breathed deeply and took in the signs of spring. Birds chirped cheerfully. Trees were beginning to bud.

Then out of the corner of my eye, I noticed something – a bush we planted several years ago near our dinner bell post.

Over the years that bush had grown from a small plant into a tall leafy shrub. But it had been a constant disappointment.

When we planted it, I thought it was a lilac bush. Yet year after year it produced nothing but leaves. I often wondered if it was a completely different plant. More than once, I considered ripping it out and starting over, but I never got around to it.

So, there it remained, growing larger every year but never blooming.

Or so I thought.

As I walked past, I caught a glimpse of lavender hidden among the leaves.

I leaned closer. Fragrant violet blooms peeked out at me as if to say,

“You shouldn’t have been discouraged. It just took us a little longer than most to flower.”

Immediately my mind flew to Galatians 6:9.

Sometimes we work hard, sowing seeds for eternity, yet we wonder why nothing seems to change.

We carry one another’s burdens in prayer but see no visible fruit.

We choose God’s way instead of the world’s way and still find the path difficult.

Like Christian in John Bunyan’s Pilgrim’s Progress, we sometimes feel stuck in the Slough of Despond, afraid we will never get out.

But then God’s Word speaks.

Today, He used a single blooming lilac in a large bush.

What a timely reminder that the ones who reap the harvest are the ones who do not grow weary in doing good. They keep going. They keep trusting. They continue doing what is right, even when the results are slow to appear.

I am so glad I did not rip that bush out in a moment of discouragement. Otherwise, I would never have enjoyed the beautiful flowers it finally produced, or heard creation’s gentle spiritual reminder.

Are you discouraged in doing good?

God’s promise still stands.

Keep sowing.

Keep trusting.

And do not grow weary in doing good.