When God gives you a promise or a vision for your life, it’s like a seed; it needs time to germinate and grow before it can even begin to bear fruit. It doesn’t happen instantly; there’s a lot of preparation that needs to take place beforehand. First the seed is put in the ground. Then the seed sends out a tiny root. Then a tiny seed leaf or two pushes through the surface. As the seedling gets stronger, it gets its first true leaves and grows taller. And eventually, as the plant gets bigger and more robust, it begins to produce buds, then flowers, and then fruit. If any part of the process is rushed or forced, the plant will be weaker and less fruitful than it should be. And that’s like us. We might think we’re ready to take on the vision God’s given us, but God knows when we’re really ready, so we need to be patient and listen to Him. Even though David had already been anointed king, he had to wait seven years until God removed Saul from the throne. But those years weren’t wasted; he learned some valuable lessons during them. Here’s one: ‘Don’t be impatient for the Lord to act! Keep travelling steadily along his pathway and in due season he will honour you with every blessing’ (v.34 TLB). We mustn’t try to get ahead of God. If you’re feeling impatient with God at the moment, and eager to jump into the vision He’s given you, He might be saying to you: ‘It is not yet time for the message to come true, but that time is coming soon; the message will come true. It may seem like a long time, but be patient and wait for it, because it will come; it will not be delayed’ (Habakkuk 2:3 NCV).

What Now?

Find a time-lapse video of fruit growing. As you watch each part of the process happening at just the right time to develop a strong plant, thank God for His perfect timing in preparing you for the vision He has for you.