I was outside in my garden this morning checking on the vegetables and flowers that I’m trying to grow. I say trying, because I have never been able to grow anything before. EVER! Even store-bought plants and flowers that only need to be maintained, seem to die in my care. It’s actually pretty sad. No matter how many times I try or how many methods I attempt…I never have success.
Some people have suggested I start with growing something small indoors. So, I did. I attempted an indoor herb garden and wouldn’t you know it, not even one herb grew. I began to think that growing just isn’t my thing. I don’t have a green thumb, and that’s okay. I mean, after all, we can’t all be good at everything, right? I came to accept the fact that this is just one area that I am not gifted in.
A few months ago, I decided to pick up a rose-bush and some vegetable seed from a local store. They were on sale, so I figured why not give this growing thing one last try. I took the plants home, read the instructions and planted everything accordingly. Shortly after, I began to see little buds popping out of the ground where I planted the lettuce seed. A few feet over, I saw little sprouts coming through the ground where I laid the green onion seed. Amazing! About a week later, little pink flowers began to blossom on the rose bushes that I planted. Could it be? Could I be capable of growing things?!?!
It has been a couple of months now and most of what I planted is growing just fine. I do my best to care for the plants properly; making sure they are watered, weed free, etc. My rose-bush continues to produce new blooms and it is absolutely beautiful. I am very happy to see that things do grow when I don’t give up, have patience and most importantly follow directions!
While in my garden this morning, the Lord brought something to my attention. He reminded me of the principle of reaping and sowing. This is a principle that God established in the Earth at the beginning of time. It applies to ALL people, whether believer or non-believer. Reaping and sowing simply put means you get out what you put in. A person can’t sow the wrong things or nothing at all into their lives and expect to get blessings in return. My plants didn’t grow when I rushed through the process; when I just threw a few seed down, and provided no care afterward. They only began growing when I followed the instructions properly. I got exactly what I had put in. The same thing happens in our spiritual lives. We cannot expect to be blessed in our lives when we don’t follow God’s directions.
Many of the people who I come across want the abundant life that God promises without sowing anything. These people have lives that are void of joy, peace, provision, understanding, and even faith, yet they often wonder why. It all goes back to God’s principle about reaping and sowing.
What are you sowing into your life? Are you sowing the things that God says to or are you trying to do things your own way (by either sowing nothing at all or sowing the wrong things)? You can’t plant pepper seed and expect to grow squash.
What are you putting into your relationship with God? Are you spending quality time with Him; getting to know Him? Or do you spend only a few minutes each morning with Him; rushing through your prayer time?
Do you spend time reading and studying the Bible or do you simply read a quick scripture each morning in hopes that it will get you through the day?
Please don’t think that I am here to judge. My hope is to encourage! Trust me…I am speaking to myself as well.
The key to seeing growth in our lives is to do the things that God tells us to do. The way to receive blessings is to first BE a blessing! What area of your life do you want to grow in? Start sowing seed in that area, nurture and care for that area and watch amazing things happen!
Here are a few of my favorite verses regarding reaping and sowing…
Ecclesiastes 11:4 ~ He who watches the wind will not sow and he who looks at the clouds will not reap.
Hosea 10:12 ~ Sow with a view to righteousness, Reap in accordance with kindness; Break up your fallow ground, For it is time to seek the LORD Until He comes to rain righteousness on you.
Luke 6:38 ~ Give, and it will be given to you. They will pour into your lap a good measure—pressed down, shaken together, and running over. For by your standard of measure it will be measured to you in return.
2 Corinthians 9:6 ~ Now this I say, he who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.
Galatians 6:7 ~ Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, this he will also reap.
Galatians 6:9 ~ Let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we will reap if we do not grow weary.
HAPPY SOWING EVERYONE! May you see the fruits (or in my case the flowers and veggies) of your labor sooner rather than later!
Honeybee's Hive 