Everyone’s Growing Zone

All of us can produce fruit, but can all of us produce ripened fruit? 

Across the entire land mass of the globe is the potential of growing something to eat and to smell.  That potential provides opportunities that allow us to gaze upon natural beauty so amazing that it can stop us in our tracks – even if it’s just for a moment.  To grow such delights, one must understand an important key to gardening: You have to know your growing zone.  Literally, and figuratively.

I was listening to a 2021 broadcast of Joyce Meyers, and she spoke on the importance of loving ourselves, changing what needs to be changed, but also embracing what we can’t change. In doing so we produce a fruit that draws everyone in, giving us the privilege to love others the way Christ loved us.  But first we must love ourselves as God loves us.  

In  Authentically Uniquely You Joyce Meyer writes, “Change comes as a result of abiding in Jesus, not through struggle and self-effort. A fruit bush or tree abides and produces fruit on its branches in due time. The Holy Spirit is in us, and the fruit of the Spirit is in us (Galatians 5:22-23). As we rest (abide) in the knowledge of who we are in Christ, fruit (good behavior) will manifest as a result. The more time we spend with Jesus, the more we will become like Him.” (Meyer, 2021)

It is easy to get caught up in all the Instagram photos and get discouraged by the growth of others. We can’t all grow the same things, provide the same resources to our communities, or live in perfect dreamy weather patterns.  Our weather zones are not the same and are changing. It’s the same for us gardeners. We love gardening. Our everywhere and our gardens look different, sometimes the same, and most definitely change with the seasons.

The goal for gardens is to grow. No matter what zone the garden is growing in. We want our fruit to ripen and to be enjoyed by others. Some crops like winter wheat require cold weather to survive. They need “cold acclimation” or “hardening” to trigger their reproductive stage. Other plants like melons thrive in hot and dry conditions. An extended period of heat enhances their sweetness. Too much water dilutes the flavor.

Much the same way Christ desires to see us grow and bear fruit. We mature our gardens by understanding the conditions and how to best facilitate growth taking those conditions into account. Removing what hinders growth and amending to improve our gardens’ outcomes.

All of this removing and amending is hard work. Not to mention weeding out what chokes the garden. It’s also hard work facing our own shortcomings and those deep seeded things that keep us from growing. Especially, ones that prevent us from allowing everyone to experience the person, the gardener, who God gifted each of us to be.

I challenge you, as well as myself, to embrace your growing zone. Embrace its uniqueness, fragility, and its power to grow. Embrace your ability to ripen in your growing zone with all the conditions that are thrown at you. Change what you can but don’t let a trying season prevent you from trusting the progress of learning and growing. More importantly, allow everyone to experience a growing season with you.

Your ripened fruit may provide that moment that stops someone long enough to ponder and abide in grace. Time to zone-in and take stock of needed changes, learn new ways to improve and embrace every aspect of what allows you to flourish in fullness.  John 15:15 states, “I’ve told you these things for a purpose: that my joy might be your joy, and your joy wholly mature. This is my command: Love one another the way I loved you. This is the very best way to love.