Planting for Growth

“… You will always harvest what you plant.” ~ Galatians 6:7b NLT
 
Our friends in farming have harvested their fall crops. They would probably laugh at us if we asked them what seed they used for soy beans. Farmers know that to reap soy beans they plant soy beans in the spring. Sowing corn and expecting to harvest anything else would not be reasonable, nor profitable.  However, unfortunately, we unintentionally plant things into our lives not foreseeing the outcomes we are sure to reap.

Therefore, as we ponder the verse above from Galatians 6, we realize that it gives us a simple, but powerful spiritual principle that, if implemented, could cause success or, if ignored, could bring about disappointment or even disaster in our lives. For example, if we truly desire to strengthen our relationship with God and don’t invest time and energy doing things like reading and meditating on the Bible, worshiping and seeking the Lord in prayer, it is unlikely we would experience much growth. We could repeatedly desire growing, but never change.

An economist will advise us that if we faithfully invest a certain amount of money every month, eventually in the future it will earn compound interest, multiplying in value with each passing year. It is the same with our spiritual investments. It may seem insignificant as we start, but eventually God will use it and multiply it. 

Every choice matters to God. Every day we plant seeds into the future, some efforts produce good and others cause damage. The Bible tells us that everything we do today will impact our future.
 
The Holy Spirit will guide you in choosing what to plant and the right time to plant it. What seeds is God asking you to plant into your character, your family, your vocation, your relationship with him?  It’s never too late. Remember, God is faithful. He will do what he has promised. Sow to the Spirit and you will reap a harvest of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. Sow according to the expectations of the world, and expect emptiness, loneliness and pain.

Dear friend, be blessed as you sow seeds of truth, grace and peace in your relationships. May you be amazed at the blessings that flow from your relationship with Jesus as you invest in seeking more of him and receiving his love. Be encouraged. By the power of the Holy Spirit at work in you, be blessed to become all your loving heavenly Father created you to be. Amen.

Mary Sumner ~ November 16, 2021