A few years ago I moved into a house with a fence abutting an alley where the light is mostly indirect and about the only things that grow well are weeds.
Before leaving to visit Mom for two weeks, I weeded along that fence and discovered a volunteer tomato. About a year ago I’d planted aloe on the yard side and amended the soil with homemade compost that must have contained tomato seeds. Volunteer ‘maters often spring up in unlikely places where compost has been applied, but I’ve never seen one grow under the fence and out the other side!
There are few things as inspiring as the heart of a volunteer!
Psalm 110:3 says, “Your people shall be volunteers in the day of Your power.” And Isaiah 1:19 promises, “If you are willing and obedient, you shall eat the good of the land.”
Watered before I left, but no time to prune or stake. Upon return it had grown considerably and flopped over, one whole branch flattened by some passing vehicle. Pruned it, staked it to the fence, watered again, and recently tasted the first fruit – sweet like little candies.
Isaiah 27:6 says, “Israel shall blossom and bud, and fill the face of the world with fruit.” When believers read ‘Israel’ in the bible, context often supports claiming the promises; as ones having been grafted (Romans 11:17-24) and adopted (Romans 8:14-17; Galatians 4:4-7; Ephesians 1:3-5) into Israel, taking part in the promises as Abraham’s believing seed (Romans 9:6-8).
Besides representing Jesus’ promise, “I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.” (John 10:10), this plucky plant proclaims God’s nature which is to give and give and give, despite the odds. As His beloved child, the Thinking Christian Woman has the privilege of imitating Him in this regard; voluntarily and wholeheartedly giving when and where least expected, and bearing sweet fruit against all odds.
© 2011 Melody K. Anderson
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