What can ride ocean currents for years before finally washing ashore and springing to life? According to National Geographic’s World magazine, it’s a nut that is native to South America and the West Indies. Some people call them "sea hearts".
These 2-inch, chestnut-colored nuts are hardy, heart-shaped seeds that grow on high-climbing vines. They often fall into rivers and float out to sea. There they may ride the currents for years before coming to shore and sprouting into a plant.
This life-bearing, time-enduring wave-riding seed illustrates a basic spiritual principle. God’s plans may include extended times of waiting for Him to act on our behalf. This was true of Noah, who endured ridicule while spending 120 years building a ship; of Abraham, who waited for the fulfillment of God’s promise that he would have a son in his old age; and of David, God’s anointed, who chose to wait for God’s timing rather than take the life of envious King Saul.
Sea hearts can’t choose to be patient, but we can. Nothing is harder or better for us than to follow the example of David, who wrote PSALM 25. By waiting on the Lord we can have peace, and our faith will grow – even while we are riding out the waves. – Martin De Haan Ii
Thinking it over
What circumstances make it hard to wait for the Lord?
How do we know we won’t be disappointed when we wait for Him?
READ: PSALM 25:1-10
God stretches our patience to enlarge our soul.