Our Gray Hogs 2021 ride through the Sierras had an unusual end—Jerry realized he had to get home soon (he does this a lot) so he bailed early, and Brad damaged his Goldwing when he hit the back end of a minivan, and his son came over to drive him home in Long Beach. That left just Mick and me heading to see his daughter and son-in-law in Susanville for two nights before heading home ourselves. The first morning Mick suggested we ride for breakfast to a cool café in Chester, about 35 miles west. A fine ride through mountains and meadows and a lake and burn areas growing back from the year before, and we found the Cravings Café and sat down outside for breakfast.
Right behind Mick was an espaliered apple tree, in the pic above. That just means they trained it to grow mostly in two directions: up and side to side, and it provides fruit without taking up much three-dimensional space. But that requires a lot of work and time: tying up the branches to a trellis so they grow properly, pruning branches that don’t follow the pattern, and waiting. Mick could have reached back and grabbed an apple if he wanted.
And this taught me a lesson about myself—and maybe you’re similar. Typically, I want what I want and when I want it. Delayed gratification may be the mark of maturity, but it doesn’t come naturally for me. Yes, delay can ruin some opportunities. I get that. But some things, like espaliering a tree, take time. As does growing into godliness.
In Galatians, Paul gives a number of tips on how to become more Christlike, more mature spiritually. A pretty wise guy, he realized growth is a battle where we face obstacles, so he gave us encouragement that patience pays off, “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up” (Galatians 6:9).
When we get tired and we’re thinking of quitting, it can be a hint from God that season has ended, we may just need a break, or we may need to keep on keeping on. I suspect that choosing the trait of patience, of being willing to continue in the struggle, will help us identify which is His best for us in that area. Let’s not grow tired of the struggle, it will bring good results. In time. And maybe we can grow, like that espaliered apple tree.
Kick Starting the Application
What areas do you struggle with patience? Can you sense if that is a holy dissatisfaction of God closing a door, or just impatience or being tired on your part? Are there some specific areas you find it hard to be patient? Any ideas why? Earlier in Galatians, Paul said one fruit of the Spirit is patience. How are you nurturing that fruit?