Sowing In Faith

The Bible is full of analogies that relate to gardening: The fruit of the Spirit, the soils of the heart, weeding the sin out of our lives, and sowing wisely, are just some examples.

An elderly Peruvian man would fill his bag with cones each day and take long walks with a single tool in his hand and plant cones all along the blackened mountain side, restoring what a large fire had taken. The people told him that the government should be doing it, and to sit down and relax in his old age, but he didn’t do it for himself, but for the generations to come. He saw a need… and he rose up in faith that he was able to make a difference. 

God has given each of us a job to do as well and sowing seeds for the Kingdom of God is, of all jobs, the most important because it’s eternal. Before we sow the seed of the Gospel, we must prepare the soil of the heart. Pray for that person and allow the Spirit of God to prepare their heart for the Seed of God’s Word to be implanted in tender, receptive soil. Then… we sow the Gospel Seed with great love, trusting that “The Word of God will not return void (empty) - (Isaiah 55:11). 

Sow in faith, expecting a harvest, but recognizing that God will send others to help… ”I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but it is God that has been making it grow” (1 Corinthians 3:6). And when a life is surrendered to God, and the peace that passes understanding fills their life, their whole family, friends and extended community, notice. 

The harvest is precious and bountiful. From this point forward, entire generations will sit under the Umbrella of the Gospel through one saved soul. And just like harvest parties of old, where the workers would all celebrate the bounty with a feast, special drinks, music, dancing and overflowing joy, Heaven does the same…  “I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in Heaven over one sinner who repents than ninety-nine righteous persons who don’t need to repent” (Luke 15:7). 

May we sow in expectant faith, for… “The fields are white and ready to harvest” (John 4:35).

(Devotional by Cheryl Hall-Laos)