Bananas

Julie Baxter

"Take it easy - faith is the evidence of things not seen."
EJB
December 9, 2003

Have you ever wondered what lessons were available to us by watching a banana tree grow? Nope, me either. Thus I was surprised when the Spirit of the Lord began to speak to me this morning regarding just that.

Down here in Gulf Coast Texas where we live, we are able to grow bananas year round. If you've never owned one, then you probably have no idea how incredibly fast these plants grow.

Last year in November we bought four plants, the largest one was about 4' high. My husband planted them in faith, and sure enough, they took off growing, in the winter.

By spring, which is March around here, we had doubled our plants.

By June we could almost sit on the patio and watch them grow. Sometimes we could measure growth in feet each day. Of course each plant took a pound of fertilizer and gallons of water. They were hardy but seemed to prefer attention and care.

Then in August we began to see blooms that were spectacular in color and size.

Now we have seventeen plants.

We ate our first small banana in the first of October.

We have six inside ripening now.

Did you notice I said, "inside ripening"?

It appears to me that our Christian walk is often like the banana plant.

At first stupendous growth you can see daily. The fertilizer represents the trials of this life - it's really what we've taken in recycled for our benefit. And the water - well you can figure that out - living water, loads of it.

Then a stupendous blossom - the ministry! Brilliant ~ it catches everyone's eye.

But then finally fruit. What's wrong? The fruit doesn't appear quickly. The fruit seems never ever, ever emerge. And just when you think it's never going to be anything but a little bitsy hard green banana - voila - it is time to bring it into the Father's house - in the fullness of time.

It is ONLY in the Father's house that the true purpose and destiny of the fruit emerges. In the Father's house, in the light and heat, and just left there "soaking" the seemingly inedible fruit turns a sunny golden yellow and is sweet for the taster.

Isn't that true for us? Only in the Father's house we can become anything worth eating? And if we are to be like HIM who said "taste and see that the Lord is good" or "eat my flesh" "drink my blood" then as surely as we are transformed in His presence, by His presence into His image - we will be tasted too.

If the banana has seasons,

If it ripens in the Father's house,

If we can learn anything from a banana tree ~

Then let us choose to be fruitful

And tasty

And full of faith that the One who began the growth will finish it

And not despise the slow growth processes of life in Christ.

Bless you
Julie Baxter