The Ripening Within
As fruit ripens through time and sun, so our lives are softened and sweetened in Christ.
Devotional Credit: Days of Heaven on Earth by A.B. Simpson
Photo Credit: Unsplash
Today’s reflection from A.B. Simpson invites us to examine the maturing work of Christ within us. Simpson compares the Christian life to fruit on the tree—growing, softening, and ripening with time under the sun and rain. Though many believers exhibit good spiritual fruit, it may still be sharp or immature—good, but not yet gracious; sincere, but not yet sweet.
Simpson points out that it's often in the pressures of life—a harsh word, an unexpected inconvenience, or a disappointment—that we see whether our fruit is mellow or still green. These reactions reveal areas in need of transformation, and we learn that no external effort can produce this change. The fruit must ripen from within—through the abiding life of Christ, who sweetens us as we grow up into Him in all things.
This is not a call to strive harder but to yield more fully, allowing the warmth of God’s presence and the rains of life’s trials to mature our responses into something gentle, gracious, and ready to bless.
✍🏼 Personalized Journal Entry – Voice of the Holy Spirit Through Scripture
I dwell in you not merely to influence you, but to transform you from within. You are not called to polish sour fruit or mask immaturity with effort. You are invited to abide in Me, and I in you, so that My sweetness becomes yours.
There is no shortcut to ripeness. My Spirit tends you in seasons of sun and storm alike. When your reactions feel sharp, your words untempered, and your heart restless, I do not condemn you—I remind you: you are still growing. What appears as failure is simply unripe fruit. Remain in Me, and I will bring forth what is pleasing in season.
I soften the tartness of your impatience and mellow the edges of your frustration. The rains that trouble you are the very things I use to deepen your roots. The heat that seems to wither is what sweetens what is within. I am faithful to complete what I began in you. Let Me.
You are not meant to pluck your own fruit and present it as good. You are a branch. I am the life within the vine. In time, through trust, you will taste and see that even your temperament bears My gentleness, your words My kindness, your thoughts My peace. Your joy is not lost—it is ripening.
Scriptures referenced: Ephesians 4:15, Philippians 1:6, John 15:4–5, Galatians 5:22–23, James 1:4
🍯 Real-Life Analogy
It’s like letting honey slowly warm after being stored in the cold. At first, it’s thick and unyielding, but give it time near gentle heat, and it becomes smooth, golden, and pourable. The sweetness was always there—it just needed to be warmed.
🙏🏼 Prayer of Confidence
Father, I thank You that I am not responsible for ripening myself. You are the One who brings the growth. As I abide in Christ, I trust that You are softening what is still sharp, sweetening what is still sour, and making me a vessel of Your gentleness and joy. I rest in the process, knowing that You are always at work within me, shaping me into the likeness of Jesus—mellowed, gracious, and ready for Your harvest.