Have you noticed how God uses nature to explain and illustrate His truth? It makes sense. The Bible was written in the time of an agrarian society. But even to this twenty-first century city girl, the illustrations are very helpful. I was struggling the day I started writing this post. It was one of those times when I simply wanted what I wanted, when I wanted it. I wanted to wallow in some pretty stinky emotions. Thankfully, God’s Word is very clear:
“Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. The one who sows to please his sinful nature, from the sinful nature will reap destruction; the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life.” Galatians 6:7-8
Sowing seeds (thoughts) of selfishness would only reap more selfishness. It was a “harvest” I could choose to avoid. This spiritual truth states what every gardener and farmer knows:
We reap what we sow. If you plant an apple seed, you’ll get an apple tree. No matter how hard you try, you won’t get a pepper plant from an apple seed. Likewise, we don’t develop a loving and giving heart by sowing seeds of selfishness.
We reap in a different season than we sow. Some of you need to hear this. You’ve been sowing beautiful seeds: seeds of seeking God, seeds of believing God, but you’re still waiting on God. Hang on. Keep sowing. Keep watering those seeds with faith. Tend them with patience. You WILL reap a harvest of righteousness and blessing:
“Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” Galatians 6:9
We reap more than we sow. In nature, the plant or tree produced from a single seed can yield abundant fruit. The spiritual realm is no different. When we yield our will to God and His Word, He rewards us abundantly. A simple act of obedience yields abundant blessing.
There’s another truth about seeds we can’t overlook: For a seed to grow, its outer shell has to “die” and be discarded. In the spiritual realm, this is often the hardest part. We must die (let go of, surrender) to the desires and plans we conceive for ourselves. We must die to what we want, when we want it. But the reward is great!
The ultimate goal of all sowing is to become a visible expression of the glory of God (His holiness, His wholeness). And we should seek it in all areas of our lives:
“So whether you eat or drink or whatever you to do, do it all for the glory of God.” 1 Corinthians 10:31
If we sow thoughts, words and deeds yielded to the Word and Person of God, we WILL reap not only what we sow, but abundantly more than we sow. We WILL become a person who reflects the glory of God. This is Way #17 of 52 Ways to Glorify God:
Sow Godly Seeds
What can you sow today to ensure you reap a harvest of God-glorifying righteousness?
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