2 Peter 1

 In 2 Peter chapter 1, Peter shows us that growth starts with a seed, requires a process, and helps us see that we can trust the seed to become what God wants it to become.

God has put a seed in each of us. Like all seeds, the seed must be nurtured and waited upon in order for it to become the tree that bears fruit.

As I think about this chapter, I ask God for how this thought matters on Christmas Eve? It’s not a typical Christmas story that we would hear from the Bible and so I wonder it’s relevance as we enter the climax of the Christmas holiday.

The answer is familiar to me, but it’s application shines new light on life and our journey through it.

Jesus.

A seed is a hope of some fruit to come later, and that is who Jesus was when He was born of a virgin in Bethlehem. He was a baby - a hope of a brighter future.

The fact that Jesus came as a baby is Him being an example that we must remember. He did not come in His full glory, beauty, and victory as many of that day expected to see. Instead He came as a small baby, dependent on others for help, care, and protection. He experienced everything we have from birth to adult-hood.

He had to go through the process, and that process took time.

In today’s day, many times we just want the end-result. We want to be what we are supposed to be, but we shun the process.

Peter helps us see that the process is part of the plan, and that  plan can be trusted.

As we celebrate this Christmas season, and the birth of our Lord, may we remember that we have a seed inside of us that takes time to nurture, and if we our patient, then we will become all that He desires us to be.