By Ptr. Genalyn Concepcion
Lately I’ve been having the pleasure of harvesting sweet potato and wild spinach tops from the Toronto Pastoral House’s backyard. If you were to visit the garden right now, you’d be waved at by the ampalaya’s tendrils, delighted by new sweet potato sprouts, and feel proud of the beans’ graceful twirling climb up the trellis.
Along with the other vegetables in the garden, these plants all started out as either seeds, seedlings, or mature stems. But before planting, I had to prepare the plots first with the help of the AMPs and Bible Students. We turned the soil, broke it down, and got rid of the weeds, stones, and inorganic materials. We mixed garden soil from Home Depot into the plots, and let them sit for a couple of days for aeration before planting. We cut down some of the branches of the apple, cherry, and pear trees nearby in order to increase the amount of sunlight the plots would get. We also had to clear the outgrowth that had developed on the fence for the purpose of letting in more sunlight into the garden area. Then, after planting, watering, weeding, and cultivating are regularly being done as necessary steps for the plants to thrive.
The goal of having a vegetable garden is, of course, having an abundant harvest for a nice farm-to-table experience. But one thing needs to take place first before seeds sprouts, before stems bud, and the first tendril sprouts. Roots. Roots have to first come out and press down below into the soil, harness water and nutrients from the soil, and supply the energy needed for sprouts to break out. The sprouts then absorb the sun’s light and convert it into energy, resulting in growth that is manifested by an increase in branches, stems, leaves, and tendrils.
In this Season of Expansion, we are hoping and praying for an abundance of harvest, that is in the form of souls won and discipled, churches becoming more vibrant and involved, and individual members becoming more dedicated and faithful to the Lord.
Like plants, we all need to take root before we can bear fruit. This is a rule without exception. And so for any believer who wants to see fruits in this Season of Expansion, they must first seek to set their roots deep. We praise God because we know that through the apostolic teachings and doctrines in the church, with the complete gifts of the Holy Spirit, with an abundant legacy of faithful service, we know we could set down roots into rich and nutritious soil. With the regular and anointed preaching of God’s word, we are watered sufficiently. Through the consistent and rich tradition of prayer, we are enriched, weeded out, and supported in our growth. Our church leaders serve as our trellises, providing guidance as we take aim at the skies above. The programs and activities serve as our structure propelling us to reach new heights in our walk with Christ.
In this Season of Expansion, we are hoping and praying for an abundance of harvest, that is in the form of souls won and discipled, churches becoming more vibrant and involved, and individual members becoming more dedicated and faithful to the Lord.
Let us all, therefore, seek to deepen our roots. Let us follow the initiative of Apostle Jonathan S. Ferriol to pray three times a day. Let us consume God’s word daily with the help of our daily bible reading schedule set forth in our planner/journal, the SPA Planner. By the way, watch out for the 2026 SPA Planner, revised and improved! Let us involve ourselves in the many activities in the church. As we do this, we know we will see and enjoy abundant harvest.
Have a blessed week ahead! For now, I will head to the garden and have some silence and solitude time while meditating on the profound lessons these lovely (and yummy) vegetables are teaching me. Praise God!
Reflection: In what ways can you set your roots deep below so that you may bear fruits above? What fruits are you looking forward to yield in this Season of Expansion?
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