Zucchini and the Overflow of our Hearts

While I eat vegetables, I am not exactly a huge fan of them. They are healthy and you can often serve them with butter, bacon, cheese, so I eat enough to stay out of trouble. During the summer months my general indifference towards vegetables shifts as my garden begins cranking out fresh produce. There is something about eating something you have helped grow that makes them a bit more palatable.

Ever year I map out my garden, considering when things will become ripe and what my family likes to eat and every year I plant way too much zucchini. It isn't hard to plant too much zucchini. Any more than 1 or 2 plants and you are guaranteed to become that person that is always trying to pass zucchini on to family, friends, neighbors, and coworkers. 

My first two years of gardening were particularly heavy on zucchini as I hadn't yet wised up to its prolific nature. I can remember handing half a dozen to neighbors or coworkers and them asking "are you sure you don't need some of these?" My honest reply would be something along the lines of "don't worry, I'll have this many ready again tomorrow."

My overplanting of zucchini lead to a staggering abundance of a vegetable that is really pretty limited in its uses. I should have tried to create an abundance of something with a bit more versatility or at least a longer shelf life. That being said, it was always nice to be able to give out of my overflow. I was never lacking in my ability to be generous. I like to imagine my friends getting in conversations with others who really need zucchini and being able to say "I know a guy. He can hook you up."

I have been thinking about this idea of abundance and overflow as Thanksgiving approaches. Celebrating the goodness and generosity of God towards us through Christ is at the top of my thankfulness list. It can sound cliché but it simple fact is that it should always top any list of "things to be thankful for."

Reflecting on God's goodness and and generosity, I have been challenged to think about my own goodness and generosity. Apart from zucchini, what other things would people say that I never have a shortage of? What is the overflow from my life that blesses and encourages others? What do I have an abundance of that people can always count on from me?

I have to be honest in saying that not everything on my list list of overflow would be positive. There are certain things that only come out of me in measured quantities while other things I seem to have with unlimited inventory.

My sarcasm and humor touch on cynicism and judgment far too often. 

Patience? I won't be accused of being generous with that all the time.

Undivided and undistracted attention? My phone, my worries, and my selfishness all seem to get in the way of that.

At the same time, I am reminded that God has filled me with His Spirit. The same power that rose Christ from the grave is at work in me. I think the whole idea behind the fruits of the Spirit is that God's people would become people of abundance whose overflow will be a blessing to others.

God is able to work a harvest of righteousness in the lives of those who are surrendered to Him. Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self control all represent possible abundance in the lives of those who follow Christ. 

Critical to understanding fruits and harvests that come from God is the realization that they are abundant. They are not things to be measured carefully and doled out with great calculation. They don't come with a shelf life and a desire from God to be stored up for later. 

Rather, these fruits, this harvest of righteousness, is for the immediate consumption of those around us. If we are trusting in God's promises and walking in His Spirit, there will never be a shortage of these things. We can give it all away today because we can be filled back up tomorrow. Just as with my zucchini, God will grow more for use tomorrow.

Shortly after Paul's use of the "Fruits of the Spirit" analogy he gives the admonition that his reader "not grow weary in doing good". Weariness comes when we are giving from our own storehouses, from our flesh, and from a scarcity mentality. The abundant and continuing work of "doing good" that Paul calls for is only possible if we are allowing God to produce and overflow in us.

Two thoughts to close this out:

1. What is the overflow that others would most immediately see in your life? Does it look like a harvest of righteousness? Like me, do you have more worry, impatience, or pride overflowing than you would care to admit? We serve a generous God who wants to shape the overflow that pours out of us and we can trust him to do so when we turn to Him.

2. When is the last time you thanked someone for the God-given overflow you have observed in their life? What would it look like to send a word of encouragement to a brother or sister in Christ to let them know the unique way you have seen God bubbling out of them? Part of our not growing weary in doing good certainly should involve showing gratitude to those whom God is using to overflow into our own lives. Consider thanking someone for the zucchini they have given you!