Friend, planting seeds doesn't guarantee they will grow. We learned this difficult lesson on our farm and I've been reminded the same is true when it comes to our faith. Just because my husband tills the soil, and fertilizes it as well, does not mean corn will grow. Just because we pray and share our testimony, doesn't mean the seeds of faith will mature. And just because we pour into our children and guide them with the Truth, we are not promised they will always live a godly life.
I know those are not very encouraging words, but can we agree they reflect the reality we live in? Trust me, ripping up the first corn we planted was a difficult process. Counting the cost of planting the crop again was challenging as well. Doing the work again took time, effort and money.
As I thought about all of this, I came to the realization that the fact that our actions don't guarantee results can leave me defeated and cause me to give up. My husband could have been pretty discouraged by the absence of heat and lack of growth. These thoughts could have left him questioning about attempting to plant again. But he's a farmer and he knows farmers plant seeds. He also believes and knows it's God who does the growing.
Recently, I've heard of marriages falling apart and children drifting away. Situations that Satan sometimes uses to leave me thinking "what if" and fearing what lies ahead. These individuals are walking through hard trials and experiencing pain I don't understand. Not long ago, they probably thought they were investing and planting good things into their families, but yet the harvest doesn't look like they expected.
Friend, if our eyes are not set on Jesus, these situations can leave us overwhelmed and fearful. They can lead to anxiety and bitterness. Thankfully, my husband's faith is bigger than all that happens in the field. Job knows planting seeds doesn't guarantee growth, but he knows seeking the Lord leads to direction, trusting Christ provides peace and obeying God brings blessings.
Instead of letting the results of our actions, or lack there of, leave us defeated, may the truth about God being good and faithful encourage us to persevere. Let me ask you a couple of questions - Are you focused on what you do or who God is? Is your attention on what you get or how you grow?
The other night, we drove by one of our fields and my husband said, "I'm sure glad we replanted that." I instantly thought about what God taught us through the process and revealed His character to us and I was grateful as well. Even when our work fails, God's work is productive. He is always teaching us and though our seeds may not grow, our faith does. Friend, our labor may not always be fruitful (at least from an earthly perspective), but God's work is eternal!
There is much in this world that is not guaranteed, but there are promises that will never fail!
Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.
Hebrews 13:8
And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:19
No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Romans 8:37-39
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives.
Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.
John 14:27
Have you ever had to "replant"? How did you handle this? What guarantee from God can you cling to today?
2 comments:
Thank you so much for this powerful truth and reality. As a Sunday School teacher, there have been times I have had to "replant" and I battle discouragement. It can be disheartening when we invest hours in teaching truth, to only have that student who seemed to take it in, reject it and walk away from the Lord. What I cling to is the verse that says God's Word shall not return void (Isaiah 55:11 I think). I also meditate on I Corinthians 3:6 where Paul talks about he planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the increase. My job is to walk through life planting seeds and carrying a watering can, believing that God's Word is never sown in vain.
Faith....matters so much, thanks for sharing Jill
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