Changing the calendar to September means that harvest season is near. In the coming weeks, farmers will be busy gathering the yield of the many seeds they planted in the spring. While farmers hope to enjoy a bountiful crop, they understand that no harvest would be possible had they not planted seeds months ago. The same principle is true in our walk with God.
Jesus explained, “The kingdom of God is like a farmer who scatters seed on the ground. Night or day, while he’s asleep or awake, the seed sprouts and grows, but he does not understand how it happens” (Mark 4:26-27, NLT). As Christians, our role in God’s kingdom is to be like farmers who scatter seeds. We receive “seeds” from God when He drops desires in our heart or gives us ideas of ways to help others. Each time He prompts our heart to do something, He is giving us another seed. However, once we receive a seed from God, it’s up to us to “plant” the seed by following through with what He has led us to do. Each seed we hold represents potential, but that potential will never be realized until we plant the seed! As long as we hold onto the seed, it does no one any good; but when we plant the seed, then God can bring a harvest.
You see, we’re responsible for obedience, not results. We plant the seeds, but only God can give the increase. For example, if God leads you to witness to someone, it’s important that you follow through by sharing the Gospel. You can’t worry about how the person will respond, because you have no control of their response. All you can do is be obedient in what God has led you to do and then leave the results up to the Lord. Even if that person does not immediately respond positively, you have to trust God that He will take the seed you’ve planted and bring about a harvest in due time.
When I was a senior in high school, a friend of mine told me that he had given his heart to the Lord when he was in 7th grade after I had invited him to a youth revival at our church. While I was thankful for his testimony, the truth is that I didn’t even remember inviting him to church. And I didn’t learn of the impact of that invitation until five years later. I give God glory for using a small seed I planted (and didn’t even remember) to bring about a life-changing experience in someone else’s life. My friend continues to serve the Lord to this day, and I thank God for His good plan! Jesus is the “Lord of the harvest,” and He watches over seeds we have planted even long after we forget about them!
For that reason, we should go about our lives planting as many seeds as possible. Ecclesiastes 11:6 encourages us, “In the morning, sow your seed, and in the evening do not withhold your hand; for you do not know which will prosper, either this or that, or whether both alike will be good.” The more seeds we plant, the more opportunities there are for God to bring a harvest! Maybe God will prompt you to stop and pray for someone who is in poor health. As you pray, you are planting a seed. Maybe He will lead you to give money to someone in a financial hardship. As you give, you are planting a seed. God may lead you to simply share a smile with someone as you pass by. As you smile, you are planting a seed. Go about your day planting one seed after another. Don’t worry about the outcome, just keep planting seeds and leave the rest to God.
My prayer for you today is like the one Paul prayed for the church in 2 Corinthians 9:10-11: “Now may He who supplies seed to the sower, and bread for food, supply and multiply the seed you have sown and increase the fruits of your righteousness, while you are enriched in everything for all liberality, which causes thanksgiving through us to God.” You never know the harvest God has in mind for the seed He’s given you! So, go plant some seeds today and see what the Lord of the harvest will do!
Reflections 