A Thought for the week
Week of January 4
When you enter the land and plant any kind of fruit tree, regard its fruit as forbidden. For three years you are to consider it forbidden; it must not be eaten. In the fourth year all its fruit will be holy, an offering of praise to the Lord. But in the fifth year you may eat its fruit. In this way your harvest will be increased. I am the Lord your God. Leviticus 19:23-25
The Old Testament Laws are always interesting; especially this one. It seems out of place but if you know anything about fruit trees this law is spot on. It takes time for a tree to grow and bear good fruit to eat; almost five years.
As we come into a new year, we might have “fruit trees” in our lives. Parts of our lives at different stages where we want to see the fruit of labor or fruit of our transformation in Christ. This passage reminds us things take time to grow. Be patient, my friends, the fruit of life will come one day and it will be glorious and tasteful.