Mysterious Fruit

“And the LORD God planted a garden…and there he put man…” Ge 2:7-8

Growing up I was burdened by insecurity and was chased down constantly by feelings of not belonging. In my family, I never questioned whether I belonged because my parents created a place that convinced me I did. But as soon as I would pull the front door closed, turning my focus to the world I was constantly pursuing places where I could belong…places where I could dig my roots deep…places where I would matter. Places are important in life and can determine the trajectory of our journeys, like the place we were born, the place we grew up, the place we went to college, and the place where our careers would take us. But isn’t it incredible that we forget who planted us in all these places over the course of our lives? ‘God planted a garden…and there he put…’ YOU and ME!

I believe our never-ending search for belonging is a futile search until we go back to the starting point…the heart of God. God planted the original garden on earth ‘uniquely designed as hospitality for humanity.’ Chasing Vines, Beth Moore, p. 28. He didn’t plant a garden and then decide to create man. He planted the garden with man in mind. God still plants specific gardens for His unique children. We will never experience a true place of belonging until we experience our purposed fruitfulness in the place God determines. He has been planting His children in places of His choosing since the beginning of time. The Bible gives account after account of the Father uprooting His children, redirecting them to a new place, and planting them for future fruit. ‘You [God] transplanted a vine from Egypt.’ Psalm 80:8. ‘God knew that slavery wasn’t the end of his people’s story. He knew the enemy wouldn’t get the final victory. He knew He would keep His promises in dramatic fashion. He delivered them before, and He would deliver them again. The same is true for you, whether you’re battling a vicious ruler or a vicious disease, whether you’re up against an occupying army or your own anxiety.’ p. 29. Amazing fruit can come from the transplanting of the Lord. Ge 41:52 states, ‘For God has made me fruitful in the land of my affliction.’ The testimonies that flow from the challenges of being uprooted from one set of circumstances and transplanted into another will be our placeholders. Scripture reminds us that when we place our seasons of troubles in the hands of God, He will make us fruitful in that place…during the challenges. ‘And there we can bear mysterious fruit.’ p. 35.