Mar 10 – Growing For Tomorrow
3:70 – Growing For Tomorrow

#faithbites #faithjourney growing

During lunch today, some of my colleagues were talking about their garden plans for the spring/summer. It’s almost that time again. Time for the indoor sprouting of vegetables, the collection of seeds, and preparing the ground for tomorrow’s planting.

When I wrote the title of this #faithbite, I didn’t realize how many different connotations it could take. One is we are growing food to harvest tomorrow. Another, and the one that resonates with me the most, is growing ourselves for tomorrow. I am a different person today, than I was yesterday, and will be a different person tomorrow. Or as Lewis Carroll said in Alice and Wonderland, “I can’t go back to yesterday, because I was a different person then”. Likewise, if we put in the time and effort of planting for tomorrow in our souls, we will be a different person tomorrow, and be able to reap that harvest.

Scripture
  • Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. – Galatians 6:7-8
  • While a large crowd was gathering and people were coming to Jesus from town after town, he told this parable: “A farmer went out to sow his seed. As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path; it was trampled on, and the birds ate it up. Some fell on rocky ground, and when it came up, the plants withered because they had no moisture. Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up with it and choked the plants. Still other seed fell on good soil. It came up and yielded a crop, a hundred times more than was sown.”When he said this, he called out, “Whoever has ears to hear, let them hear.” His disciples asked him what this parable meant. He said, “The knowledge of the secrets of the kingdom of God has been given to you, but to others I speak in parables, so that, “‘though seeing, they may not see; though hearing, they may not understand.’[“This is the meaning of the parable: The seed is the word of God. Those along the path are the ones who hear, and then the devil comes and takes away the word from their hearts, so that they may not believe and be saved. Those on the rocky ground are the ones who receive the word with joy when they hear it, but they have no root. They believe for a while, but in the time of testing they fall away. The seed that fell among thorns stands for those who hear, but as they go on their way they are choked by life’s worries, riches and pleasures, and they do not mature. But the seed on good soil stands for those with a noble and good heart, who hear the word, retain it, and by persevering produce a crop. – Luke 8:4-16
Reflection

The parable of the sower is part of our life. We need to be good soil for the seeds to take root. We can be that good soil by listening, praying, and reading the word. I want to be the soil that can take the seed and grow into something else.

The funny thing is, we all go through cycles on when and how we are good soil. When we aren’t, Jesus forgives us. When we are, we can grow even more. The key is for us to realize where we are at in our #faithjourney and make the conscious choice to change.

So, now I’ve been talking all about seeds and planting, I’m ready to do my garden. I need to think about what seeds have the best chance and where to plant them. The growing season isn’t long and there are good spots in the garden for different plants. I need to go to the source, and yes there is an inference to the Bible here, to know where and when to plant.

Happy Gardening All.

Challenge

Are you being good soil? Are you helping spread the seeds in the right place? Take a moment to evaluate how you are sharing the word and where you are spending your time. You don’t need to give up on people or change focus, but perhaps, this isn’t the best season for some people or it’s the right one for others. Plant wisely!

Prayer

Heavenly Father, thank you for choosing to plant your seed in us. We are always looking to tomorrow but want to be prepared. Help us nurture your word for the harvest in us and those around us. Give us strength when we feel defeated by a lack of harvest or when the seed rots. Let us rejoice in the bounty when the harvest is successful. We know you will never leave us and will always help us plant. In your name, Amen

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