The lesson of the jackfruit tree

The humble, often ugly seed is one of the most amazing gifts in the universe.

One of the most amazing seeds is that of the jackfruit. Jackfruit is the largest tree-borne fruit in the world, reaching 80 pounds in weight and up to 36 inches long and 20 inches in diameter. Now get this, there may be 100 to 500 seeds in a single jackfruit. I have seen 15-20 fruit hanging from a single tree. That says that a single tree can produce up to 10,000 seeds a year and each seed is capable of producing one tree. At this point it moves into higher math. But I think you get the point.

Seeds are marvelous. In fact, upon my return from Uganda this year, I brought with me five seeds from a jackfruit. Just think what those five seeds are capable of producing under favorable conditions (which I don’t think exist here in Georgia due to long period of no rain and because of below freezing temperatures).

Did you know that God sees you as a seed? In the Book of Jeremiah, God says, “I planted you a choice vine, a completely faithful seed” (Jeremiah 2:21). You a seed. Me a seed. All of God’s children a seed. Imagine the exponential factors of God planting us as his seeds. What potential! What awesome productive capacity!

In truth, we have more capacity for fruitfulness than any jackfruit. Jesus hammered at this theme throughout his teaching ministry. He declared, “You are the salt of the earth.” Ever counted the number of grains in a single salt-shaker? Of course not. There’s too many. Jesus also said, “You are the light of the world.” Ever counted the rays of the sun? Too many to count. That’s the way it is with us a seeds. Our potential is unlimited.

Popular Christian minister Joel Osteen is getting a great hearing around America. He’s packing civic auditoriums from sea to sea. And his message is simple but focuses on the possibilities inherent in any faithful seed. He’s a 21st Century Robert Schuler who began teaching us about possibility-thinking more than half-century ago. Shuler learned his lesson well from Norman Vincent Peale who introduced the concept of “positive thinking” at the first part of the 20th century.

Each of these ministers, in his own way, encourages us to realize that resident within each of us is a dynamic possibility — like a seed — which if planted and nurtured, can produce unimaginable fruit. So, take this to bed tonight: you are a seed; everything you need to become everything God intended for you is right inside of you — inside your seed.

Appreciate your seediness. Plant it in some good soil. Nourish it with wholesomeness and healthy living. Read some books that brag on your potential. It’s all there. Perhaps your seed tends to the ugly side, but remember it’s just the seed. The flower with all its beauty is on its way.