Faith and Planting

NIV 1 Corinthians 3:6 I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God made it grow. 7 So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow.

Have you ever thought about farmers? Farming is hard work! All year long, they have different activities they must do to prepare for a good and prosperous harvest. As soon as the previous harvest is over, the cycle starts all over – fix and ready machinery, till and plow the land, plant the seed, water and care for the crop, and, finally, again it is time to harvest again. But, there is no harvest without all the other work, especially the planting – and planting takes faith. After planting the seed, there is nothing the farmer can do to make the seed grow. He may do certain things to help it grow, but the actual growth happens by a God ordained process. It is the same way in the spiritual birth process – the harvest comes from God.

I got a call this week from a man whom we had shared the gospel and prayed for months ago. At the time, he welcomed the gospel at first, but his personal struggles eventually won over – nevertheless the seed was planted. But, over the holidays, he found himself reading the Bible that was given to him and this time he made the call – “I need help, I need Christ,” he said. As we renew our ministry to him again, it has become a reminder for me that all we do in sharing Christ with others is by faith, God is the only one that makes the harvest possible. In the end, we are nothing but servants, God alone gives the fruit.

Are you readying yourself for a good and prosperous harvest ? Have faith – ready yourself with prayer, knowledge and love – till the hearts of people with good deeds – plant the seed of the Gospel when given the opportunity – and then trust God to make it grow.