What we can learn about the fruitful Christian life from our drip line, part 5: timing.

Our drip line does not run constantly. Most of the year it does not run at all. It is idle during the months between summer crops; we winterize it, and it sits until the next spring. And during summer crops, it only runs on specific days at specific times and for specific periods of time that maximize the quantity and quality of our crops. 

The same is true of our service to God, on two levels. 

First, we will we do not constantly bear fruit, even when we are right in the middle of God’s will. Psalm 1:3  tells us that even those fully synched to God only “bear[] fruit in season.” (emphasis added). There will be intervals between seasons of fruitfulness, so don’t sweat it. God’s just getting you ready for the next growing season. You still have value, and you will add value again in the future. 

Second, we must pace ourselves during fruitful seasons. We can’t go all day, every day, even if that effort is directed towards bearing fruit for God. That’s why God gave us the sabbath. Exodus 20:8-11. And we can’t be afraid of resting when we are fatigued; Jesus did so, so we should too. Mark 4:35-38. That will result in more and better fruit than would occur if we tried to power through our exhaustion.