One of the things that stood out to me from Mary Cho’s message was her approach to teaching people how to make art. She felt like patience was what was needed as many of the people would finish their artwork really fast and expect it to be something of good quality. She reminded the people that if you want something of quality, it requires patience. This is true for many things in our lives. Some things that come to my mind are relationships, learning new skills, some wines, etc. There seems to be some connection between the quality of a thing and the time it takes for it to be made. However, just because you’ve been married for 40 plus years doesn’t necessarily mean that you have a quality marriage. Just because you’ve been doing something for 40 years doesn’t mean you’re skilled at it, and I’m not a wine drinker, but perhaps wine doesn’t always age well in ordinary conditions.
When I think about quality I think about the creation of the earth. Could God create everything on earth in one day? Maybe? Who knows? But what I do know is that God took six days to create it. Each day intentionally creating the earth with humans in mind. Speaking things into existence, piece by piece, eventually turning it into the earth. He even rested from all His work, suggesting much effort and consideration was made in the creation of all things. Was there patience? Could be. Was there quality? Look around. What detail and intricate designs can we see in all His creations?
In the season of fruitfulness, we may want to take a page out of Mary Cho’s book. We may need to be patient with the seeds that we’ve sown and trust God’s process. We may need to wait for quality fruit before we harvest what is apparent to us.
Father, I pray that your Holy Spirit would empower us to be fruitful in the season. May we produce quality fruit because of your hands. Help us to be patient in the process of your work in our lives. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.