Have you ever found yourself unable to achieve your goals despite your best efforts? I can relate to this feeling of stagnation. For years, I would set goals and envision success, only to be met with disappointment when they didn't come to fruition. It wasn't until a heard a sermon that really helped me put things into perspective and challenged me to truthfully ask myself a series of questions that would change my life for the better.
I would often interpret the scripture " Therefore by their fruits you will know them" to only mean physical fruit, such as houses, cars, and other physical possessions that can only be brought with money. Overtime, I start to realize that bearing fruit is not only limited to physical produce. In fact, we can also plant and cultivate seeds to bear twelve spiritual fruits, including chastity (personal integrity), faithfulness, generosity, gentleness, goodness, joy, kindness, love, modesty, patience, peace, and self-control. These fruits are not always acknowledged or recognized because they are not physical fruits that you can touch or show off on social media, but they are as equally if not more important to possess.
Whether you seek tangible or intangible fruits or outcomes, there's always a way or an approach to obtain them. Fruit, in this context, refers to anything that benefits and fosters growth for you and others. To understand why your efforts aren't bearing fruit, try engaging in self-reflection to identify first the specific fruit you desire, which brings clarity, why that fruit is absent from your life, and what contributed to this. This introspection can reveal areas of your life that are barren, and the behaviors that contribute to it. If some of these areas lack spiritual or physical fruit, it may not be because of a lack of effort, faith, sacrifice, or good intentions, but because of lack of knowledge in cultivation and discipline. Having a powerful seed is not enough when weak soil can hinder growth of that seed. Planting a seed is similar to having a vision, goal, or desire, the soil is the mindset and systems in place to nurture it to grow and harvesting the fruit is what we reap and gather from nurturing that seed over a season.
In order to cultivate a fruitful harvest and develop mindfulness towards the seeds you are planting in the field of life, let's explore seven methods that may identify possible barriers that may hinder your harvest this season. Consider asking yourself the following questions.
The Right Seed
What is my seed?
Seeds are the essence of thoughts, ideas, words, goals, and visions that can be nurtured to fruition. They can serve as a solution to problems that impact others or as a means of finding solutions to personal challenges that impact you. Remarkably, the growth potential of a majestic oak tree or a resilient bamboo plant all begins with a single seed. Similarly, a beautiful flower blossoms from a single seed. The seed encapsulates everything necessary for the tree or flower to thrive. Your ideas, thoughts, beliefs and words are no different. With proper nurturing, they have the potential to grow into something of substance in your life.
The Right Soil
What am I putting my seed in to nourish it to grow?
Your present mindset is pivotal to your growth and progress. In a sense, it functions like soil, nurturing the seeds of your beliefs and subconscious thinking. Have you considered whether your mindset is anchored in limiting beliefs that could be holding you back? Is it possible that you're attempting to cultivate positive and powerful ideas within a negative and weak mindset? To achieve growth and abundance, it's vital to acknowledge the importance of planting seeds in fertile soil. Let's discuss the methods for enriching the soil to create an optimal environment for planting your seeds.
The Right Environment
Am I in the right environment for my seed to grow?
Similar to palm trees, a powerful vision requires a nurturing and warm environment to flourish. The right climate and temperature are crucial for the growth of your seed. The people, the events and the opportunities around you are providing you with the environment within which you are developing your Inner-vironment. Your seed will grow within you, so you have to keep in mind the inner-vironment that best suits the seed's growth. You must also be aware of your outer environment as it can significantly influence your personal growth and development. A positive seed cannot thrive in a negative environment or inner-vironment; therefore, it's imperative to be planted in a positive and supportive environment that allows your seed to flourish.
Sunlight
Am I allowing sunlight to reach my seed?
Just as all plants, flowers, fruits, and vegetables require sunlight to grow and flourish, ideas also require similar nourishment. Sunlight represents an uncontrolled, natural force, like God, that supports and enables growth. This sunlight cannot not be replaced with artificial light used to help plants grow. Are you exposing your vision to the light or hiding it away? Spending time with God helps you to sharpen your intuition and spirit of discernment regarding your vision. I, too, have often kept my ideas from others out of fear of misunderstanding, judgement, lack of support or simply being taken and made their own by someone who had more resources than me. However, planting your seed in the light enables God to bring forth people capable of nurturing it in that season. Your spirit of discernment will play a strong role in helping you decide who those people are. God will always provide the light but also understand there will be some who provide the 'shade' which are all necessary for the growth of any seed.
Right amount of Water
Am I providing the right amount of water to my seed?
When considering water, it's natural to think of it as a resource that requires careful management. In the same way, nurturing your vision requires providing it with the right nutrients to facilitate its growth. While we may face storms in life, it's within our control to ensure that our vision is adequately nourished. This may involve relying on the Word of God, affirmations, prayer, meditation, training, or education all which waters your seed. These methods and more help bring value to your seeds. Remain committed to watering your seed, even when you don't see immediate results. Avoid getting sidetracked by new visions or goals, as neglecting your existing seed will cause it to wither or prevent it from germinating. Seeds can't thrive in dry soil; consistent positive reinforcement and watering is crucial for the growth and development of your seed.
Consistency
Am I being consistent with tending to my seed?
Do you maintain consistency in your actions concerning your seeds? Whether it's daily routines or when dealing with situations both favorable and unfavorable? Do you give up when things don't go as planned or when you don't see immediate results? Do you determine the value of your seed by the support of lack of support of those close to you? Inconsistency is unlikely to yield great results. When you act like a stamp, that is, stick to something until you're there, you have a better chance of manifesting something opposed to only giving it your best when you feel like it. Regardless of how you feel, being disciplined and consistent is key.
Crop Killers
Am I aware of the crop killers surrounding my seed?
Individuals who attempt to derail your goals and visions are referred to as crop killers. These individuals are designated by the enemy for the specific purpose of undermining your seed before it becomes a crop. If you have a vision from God that has the potential to benefit and heal many people, expect to face opposition from every direction. Crop killers can be anyone, including those you are acquainted with and those you are not. Family members, friends, coworkers, and even strangers can all be crop killers. The issue is compounded by the fact that sometimes they may not even realize they have been assigned to this role. You can be used as someone's crop killer as well. Negative relationships and associations can hinder your harvest. Individuals who continually remind you of your past mistakes or focus on your shortcomings can be considered crop killers. Those who engage in gossip, criticism, and obstruction are also vision snatchers, and should be avoided or approached with caution. However, the most significant threat to your harvest is often yourself. At times, limited beliefs (soil) and insecurities can cause you to self-sabotage your own vision. These beliefs can choke and kill the seed before it even has a chance to grow. It is essential to recognize your worth and understand that if God has given you the seed, then you are undoubtedly qualified for the job of nurturing it to fruition. And you will. Act and move confidently in this knowledge.
Visions that are divinely inspired have the power to grow into a bountiful harvest that enriches not just yourself but everyone around you, from loved ones to the broader community and even your nation. It's essential to guard such visions with your whole heart, recognizing their significance in the present times. Often times people take 'Therefore by their fruits you will know them" as to mean material possessions. However, this isn't limited to material possessions alone, but also encompasses the twelve Fruits of the Holy Spirit. Often, we measure our success and blessings based on worldly things that money can buy, but bearing fruit is a more profound concept. If it seems like you're not growing, take a moment to evaluate how you're measuring your success. Take stock of your spiritual evolution and embrace that too - it is an incredible motivation to keep going. Remember, we always reap our blessings first in the spiritual realm before the physical.
What areas of your life are barren, not producing fruit? What can you do to cultivate a more healthy and fertile soil? How has this blog resonated with you? Leave a comment below. If you enjoyed this, please sign up so you can be notified of new blog post and giveaways. Thank you for your support.