DON'T BE AFRAID TO CHANGE YOUR STRATEGY

Date: 13/11/25

Christian Treasures Devotion*

Topic: Don’t Be Afraid to Change Your Strategy*

Scriptural Reference: Genesis 6:6 (NASB)*

“So the LORD was sorry that He had made mankind on the earth, and He was grieved in His heart.”

Today is a good day. This devotion focuses on changing our perspective about certain things. The church is also challenging traditions, as long as it does not alter the written words of God; this is a win for us.

Someone once said, “If you don’t like what you are reaping, then change what you are sowing.” This is a powerful motivational message. Let’s learn some lessons that pertain to us today.

In the middle of 2024, I visited a neighbor's house who had a small garden. She had planted some vegetables and also had two papaya (pawpaw) plants. I noticed one was taller and already producing flowers, while the other one was smaller, just a few meters high. I admired her garden, especially the pawpaw plants, and jokingly told her that I would like to taste them when they bear fruit. She explained that it wouldn't take long for the taller plant to bear fruit since it was already flowering.

She kindly offered to let me transplant the smaller papaya into my garden. I was surprised by her generous gesture. I thanked her, and with her help, we safely transplanted it into my garden. Every day, I watered it, and my family helped me out at times, both in the morning and the evening.

I used some manure to speed up its growth, and it responded positively. I was excited to see how quickly it grew, and as it began to flower, my excitement increased every morning. During the rainy season, when the wind was strong, I worried that it might break from swaying side to side, but thankfully, that did not happen. I later told my neighbor how thrilled I was when it started to flower, while by that time, her own was already bearing fruit.

However, I noticed something strange. My plant continued to produce flowers for weeks without any fruit. I informed my neighbor about this, and she advised me to be patient. With little knowledge of farming, I didn’t bother to research papaya plants.

Weeks turned into months, and I ended up sweeping flowers from the ground every morning and evening but still no fruit. That was when I realized there was a problem. I decided to do a bit of research and discovered I was actually dealing with a “male papaya” plant, which doesn't produce fruit. “Jesus!” I exclaimed to myself, feeling frustrated that I had been wasting my time. I told my surprised neighbor. She admitted that neither she nor her family had planted the papaya seeds; they had just sprouted on their own, and they had been nurturing them.

I felt even more disappointed. My expectations vanished in an instant. It all seemed incredible. In anger, I decided to cut it down that very day. After all, the Bible says in Matthew 15:13 (paraphrase) that any tree that does not bear fruit will be uprooted and thrown into the fire. Today, in that same spot, a soursop plant is thriving.

Life Lessons:

1. *Evaluation: If what you are currently doing is not yielding the desired results after investing your energy, take a moment to investigate the root cause and change your strategy.

2. Research::Avoid mistakes that could lead to wasted time. Like in my case with the papaya plant, I could have saved my energy by researching it on time, I could have known that there exists a male Papaya plant

3. Move On::Don’t linger too long over any loss. Identify the root cause of the failure, and then move forward to start anew.

4. Change:Your Perspective or Direction

I now have a soursop plant growing in the same spot where the pawpaw plant was uprooted. My determination to reap tangible results prompted me to change my viewpoint. I was reaping only flowers, which wasn’t satisfying. Thus, if you are unhappy with what you are reaping, change what you are sowing or planting.

Reflecting on our scriptural reference, we see that God was grieved by the wickedness of humanity. However, He did not dwell on this; He had plans for humanity to fulfill, so He changed His strategy. Today, you and I are here to accomplish God's purpose.

Assignment:: This devotional serves as a wake-up call for both you and me. It is essential to do a critical self-assessment in various areas of our lives—career, relationships, family, and faith. If you find any aspect is not yielding good fruit—defined here as peace of mind or a fruitful relationship with God—don’t hesitate to stop and seek a different path that can bring you peace and harmony with God. May the Lord help us in Jesus' name. Amen.

Let’s Pray:: Our Father and our Lord, thank You for Your words today. Thank You for the wisdom we have received from this devotion. Be glorified Lord in Jesus name amen.. please give us the grace to know the right thing to do in Jesus name amen.