A friend of mine, a gardening expert, gave me an amaryllis flower for Christmas in 2019. He gave me very little instruction with it. “Put it outside and leave it be,” he said.
So I did. I placed it on the ground next to a tree and just let it be. As the season changed, the one, bright red flower on the plant began to die. Soon, that beautiful flower was gone, and only one large, long, green leaf remained.
As the year went on, I continued to look out my window at the plant and wonder if it would ever bloom again. I waited and waited. So many times, I almost gave up and threw it in the trash. I could always replace it with another one, I thought.
But for some reason, I couldn’t do it. Something told me to just leave it alone and be patient. Perhaps it would grow again. I had faith, but it was as small as a mustard seed (Matthew 17:20).
And then it happened. Almost a year after the first flower died, I looked out the window and saw a speckle of red. To my excitement, I found a red flower in bloom.
Days later, another bloom appeared, and a week after that, another one. Right before my eyes, three stunning red flowers flourished. And then, I saw another bud forming. I was about to have four flowers on that once barren plant.
Intrigued, I examined the plant and saw that the bulb had burrowed its way into the ground and established its own root system. That system was well designed, and it provided all the nutrients the plant needed to grow, thrive, and bloom.
What I witnessed in that flower felt so symbolic and spiritual to me. Through it, God revealed many things. First, He reminded me that His timing is not my own. Ecclesiastes 3:1 says that there’s a season for everything under the sun, and God knows the right time for everything in my life to bloom.
Second, I understood better that God’s version of patience is not mine. For a year, I had waited impatiently for evidence of the flower’s viability. When there was none, I assumed its usefulness was gone. But I was wrong. God was at work bringing about a beautiful bloom, just like He is at work behind the scenes in my life bringing about exactly what I need, when I need it. I simply need to have faith and wait for Him to bring about the evidence (Psalm 5:3; Romans 8:25).
Next, I learned that God is a multiplier of what is good. When I was given the plant, it had one small flower. But as the plant matured, four blossoms emerged. It exceeded my expectations. Likewise, God can multiply the good things I have planted in my life and far exceed my wildest dreams (Ephesians 3:20). Where there was once a hint of beauty, there can be a grand display.
I also learned that growth and prosperity come from a well-nourished root system. The Lord reminded me that Jesus is the Living Water and the Bread of Life. As I nourish my soul with His Word and root myself in His love and truth, I will have the nourishment I need to thrive in every season and produce His fruit in my life (Ephesians 3:16–19).
Finally, I learned that visible beauty is a natural result of this well-nourished root system. That flower didn’t have to think about blooming, and, if I am rooted in Christ and abide in Him, neither do I. The Holy Spirit will bring about fruit naturally that can impact the world (John 15:1–8).
Do you feel like your fruitful days are over? Have you given up on a relationship, idea, dream, or career? Remember, God’s timing is not yours. He is at work, even now, bringing about results in your life with the good, God-things you have planted. All you have to do is stay rooted in His love and have faith.
In His perfect timing, He will bring about much fruit—a display of beauty that impacts the world.
VENNESA VIEKE is a devoted daughter of Christ, wife, and mother of two. She is a professional water skier in South Florida where she trains and uses her degree in physical therapy to teach Pilates. Nessa is passionate about health and wellness; she loves to cook and create fun recipes and tell about the goodness of God.
