Good Fruit Takes Time to Grow

If any of y’all are like me, you love results—and you love to see them fast. I’m not just talking about working out for three weeks and getting the best body of your life. I’m talking about wanting to drive to a restaurant, get there as fast as possible, and be immediately seated. I’m talking about getting to the grocery store and everyone there knowing, “Hannah Staubs is here, she’s in a rush, and we need to get out of her way!” I’m talking about quick. I want everything to happen with a bit of pep in its step.

But the reality isn’t that I want things to happen fast—it’s that I don’t want to wait.

Do you see how sneaky that thinking is? When you’re telling yourself, “I’m just trying to go fast,” it doesn’t sound bad. Don’t we want to be quick and efficient? Don’t we want to be the most competent person at getting things done? I’m not saying those desires are wrong— but I am saying the lie we can believe about our spiritual growth is the same. We don’t want to grow slowly in our walk with God—we want growth right now. We don’t want to wait for the slow-moving but humbling work of God in our hearts.

When I think about spiritual development, I think of a new song I’ve been loving: “Fruit Takes

Time” by SEU Worship. The premise of the song is that we pray for one thing, and God gives us another. We pray for patience, and God puts us in a season of waiting. We pray for God to make us righteous, and instead, we almost become bitter. Isn’t that the truth in our lives? We want to be patient—immediately! Isn’t that a contradiction?

The reality is this: in our consumeristic and fast-paced world, the God of the universe invites us to walk with Him. Notice, we are not invited to run with Him—but to walk.

Galatians 6:9

"Let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up."

This is a verse I love to cling to when I think about spiritual development. Growth in your walk with God takes daily dependence, not a mad-dash sprint. Because the truth is: good fruit takes time to grow.

Your spiritual life is not something where you see growth overnight. It’s about everyday

faithfulness—long obedience in the same direction. And this kind of growth can’t be

manufactured, faked, or fast-tracked. It’s real. It’s raw. It comes from a genuine desire to know God, love God, and be like Him. That desire must work with the power of the Holy Spirit within you. Good fruit takes time to grow.

Philippians 1:6

"And I am sure of this: He who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Christ Jesus."

So what do we do with this? Well, my friend—first, we slow down. And give yourself some

grace. You are not a robot. You are a woman who loves God and is trying to follow Him. So take a deep breath, and maybe set some realistic goals in your walk with Him.

This might start with beginning your quiet time in silence. Perhaps it’s simply praying:

“God, I’m here. I’m not going anywhere. What would you have for our time together today?”

Prayer tip of the day: Pray that God would give you the patience to grow in His timing.

James 5:7–8

"Be patient, therefore, brothers and sisters, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer

waits for the precious fruit of the earth, being patient about it, until it receives the early and the late rains. You also, be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand."

Maybe this means praying for your love for God to grow. Maybe it’s reading through the fruit of the Spirit and saying, “God, I want good fruit in my life—will You show me what I need to grow in?” Maybe it’s getting on your knees each day and praying: “God, Your ways are better than mine. I want to know, love, and follow You today. Show me how.”

Ladies, this isn’t an outlandish idea. I think our spiritual growth starts with a reality check: this will take time. And it begins with a love for God that is growing—and from the overflow of that love, we can be like Christ.

1 John 4:9–11

"This is how God showed His love among us: He sent His one and only Son into the world that we might live through Him. This is love: not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another."

🎵 Song: “Fruit Takes Time” by SEU Worship

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9zcd0sy9KEc

Prayer:

God, the truest desire of my heart is to know, love, and follow You. But in my flesh, I want my

growth to happen fast. I don’t want to wait on Your timing—I want to be living perfectly, always. Jesus, forgive my lack of dependence on You. Give me the patience and grace to trust Your timing in my growth. Give me opportunities to grow, the strength to be like You, and the hope for the future—that the good work You are doing, You will complete. God, I love You, and all I want is You.

In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Sincerely,

Hannah Staubs