the sweet reward

We have a loaded fig tree in our yard.

Steven fertilized it this spring and we watched as it became heavy with small green fruit. In the spring, I checked it daily, watching the figs grow, and later searching for one that might finally be ripe enough to eat.

Then, one day in June, I found a perfectly ripe fig. And that set the pattern for my daily afternoon picking - seeking those that were ripe, before the birds or ants could feast on them.

Our fig tree has been most prolific this year. In fact, we are now into harvest number two and they are even sweeter the second time.

In these fig-days, I’ve made jars of fig preserves, containers of freezer jam, bags of dried figs and bowls kept on the kitchen counter to snack on. Sweet rewards!

I’m sure you, too, have found that searching for something has its own particular satisfaction, especially when you’re rewarded with success.

There is another type of seeking that brings us joyful rewards - of the eternal kind.

Seeking God is the greatest quest we could ever embark on. He’s right there waiting for us to discover Him.

And this is our ongoing, lifelong pursuit.

Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him. Your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong. And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is.

Ephesians 3:17-18 NLT

We can never know all there is to know about God. We will never fully understand His ways, never fathom the depth of His profound wisdom.

But every hour of seeking returns the highest reward of knowing Him better.

We see a bit of how deep and wide and high and far His love and compassion extend.

We begin to recognize the special individualized journey He’s selected for each of us.

We realize that we have the choice to follow Him all the days of our earthy lives.

In Him, we find the path to a deep joy that will carry us through difficult days.

But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.

Matthew 6:33 NIV

When we search for Him, we find that He’s right beside us and has been all along.

And like the second harvest of figs, this discovery may be the sweetest.

So if it’s been awhile since you last sought Him, He’s right there waiting to be found.

And that discovery will set you on the path you’re meant to follow.

It’s the sweetest reward.

Today is a GOOD day!

Natalie