In God’s design, a requirement for growth and fruitfulness is proper nutrition. Nutrients are substances that provide the fuel required to support growth, maintain health, and even repair damage. Having the proper nutrition for seeds will determine the health of the seed. It can stunt the growth, maintain its maturity, or help it flourish to fruitfulness. Nutrients are found in many different forms – including fertilizer, aka poop! The bottom line is, seeds require nutrition for fruitfulness. And in our journey of fruitfulness, we too require the correct nutrients to support growth.
This past weekend, Ryan and I had the amazing privilege to speak at the Wildfire youth retreat. It was an amazing time where the presence of God came and young people were encountering the Holy Spirit in amazing ways. It felt so familiar as Ryan and I have spoken at numerous other retreats. Yet, it felt so different! This is not bad. In fact, this is good!
Different phases of maturity require different nutrients. If you give the wrong nutrients at the wrong time, it may not be beneficial, in fact, it may be detrimental. But the right nutrients at the right time can cause amazing growth. I have been in the priesthood for 16 years now and when I reflect on my youth ministry days compared to Wildfire today, it was the same but different. One thing I recognized right away, and confirmed when we played running games, was that I am now 40 years old.
Wherever we are in the journey of fruitfulness, we must always keep our eyes and ears on the Lord. We need to mature and refine to get the nutrients we need, not just what we want. We need the wisdom to add and to remove.
Wisdom to refine and refresh your quiet time.
Wisdom to stop keeping bad company.
Wisdom to put away old things.
Wisdom to apply new revelations.
Wisdom to receive rhema words.
As we mature and grow towards fruitfulness, we will need to continue to refine and refresh the nutrients needed to get there. How you pray, how you worship, where you sit, when you engage the Lord—all these things need to be refined and refreshed.
Fruitfulness requires nutrients. Make sure to seek the Lord to ensure you are getting the right nutrients, for the right season.