First Fruits

The sweet peas are in! What a cause for celebration!

While the rest of my garden plants are establishing their roots and bringing forth new leaves, these beautiful plants are filling my basket with abundance.

These are the first fruits of my garden.

You shall take some of the first of all the fruit of the ground from the land that God is giving you, and you shall put it in a basket and go to the place that the Lord your God will choose. Then you, along with the Levites and the aliens who reside among you, shall celebrate with all the bounty that the Lord your God has given to you and your house. Deuteronomy 26: 2,11

Moses established an annual celebration for the people of God to thank the Lord for His provision and celebrate with those who couldn’t provide for themselves (The Levites and aliens had no land and so no crops). I shared mine with some Christian women with no gardens, and our church staff (modern day Levites).

I love that my peas ripen during the period the Jews celebrate as the Festival of Weeks, the 7 weeks between Passover and Pentecost. When exactly one makes the first fruit offering during this period is unclear. Many have it occur on the first day of the week after Passover – that would be Easter Sunday.

But in fact, Christ has been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who have died. I Corinthians 15:20

But one could make their first fruits offering any time during the seven weeks, even as late as Pentecost, when Jews celebrated the gift of the Law in addition to the gift of fruit. Pentecost, when God gave us the gift of the Holy Spirit as well.

We ourselves, who have the first fruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly while we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. Romans 8:23

So Christ is the first fruit, and we who abide in Him are also first fruits. What a cause for celebration! The Lord our God has certainly provided all that we need!

Since I can’t share my sweet peas with you online, I want to share something else. God provides for us and asks that we share His provision with others. That certainly refers to His physical provision, but I think it also refers to His spiritual provision. We are to tell our stories.

What a Wonderful God

I am a woman, come down from the mountain to tell my story, a story of the majesty and wonder of God. How glorious it is on the mountain! Surrounded by endless sky, the stars seem close enough to touch. Pure crisp air fills the lungs; and the joy of God’s presences fills my soul. He takes my hand and leads me.

               What a wonderful God He is, to bring me to this place, to show me His glory, to call me by name. What a wonderful God!

I am a woman, come up from the pit to tell you my story, a story of the grace and mercy of God. How gentle He is with my pain, how tender He is as I weep from my heart. He comforts me as my guilt and doubt and fear shred me to pieces. His presence heals my wounds. He takes my hand and leads me.

               What a wonderful God He is, to bring me out of this place, to show me His gracious love, to call me by name. What a wonderful God!

I am a woman, come across the plain to tell my story, a story of the support and providence of God. He provides fresh water and rest along the way. He keeps me on the path and carries my load. Troubled by hidden rocks, encouraged by fragrant flowers, wearied by the endless vistas, He whispers, “There is better ahead.” He takes my hand and leads me.

               What a wonderful God He is, to walk with me through this place, to show me His faithfulness, to call me by name. What a wonderful God!

Happy Pentecost, you first fruits of the Spirit! I am grateful for you!

Betsy