Do not be deceived; God is not mocked, for you reap whatever you sow. If you sow to your own flesh, you will reap corruption from the flesh; but if you sow to the Spirit, you will reap eternal life from the Spirit. So let us not grow weary in doing what is right, for we will reap at harvest time, if we do not give up. So then, whenever we have an opportunity, let us work for the good of all, and especially for those of the family of faith. Galatians 6: 7-10, NRSV.
Gracious God, we know that there is a harvest time coming. We would like to reap eternal life, because You paid for that harvest with Your blood! Please teach us how to sow well. This we pray in the blessed name of Jesus. Amen.
Gardening is a wonderful hobby. I wish I knew more about it, and had more time to dedicate to it. I believe that because of its nature (it is a creative hobby); it gives us an opportunity to observe God working, at close range. It is so thrilling to observe new sprouts develop and become strong new plants that are independent from the “mother plant.” Providing plants with just enough water and sunlight is crucial. To be a successful gardener, we need to know what are the needs of the different varieties of plants. It is important that we understand that some plants are outdoor plants, and some are indoor plants. Some need lots of water; some hardly need any water at all. Some need lots of sunlight; while others do much better in the shade.
Several of Jesus’ parables have to do with sowing seed. In Matthew chapter 13, there are three consecutive parables about planting and harvesting. Among them is one of Jesus’ best known parable – the parable of “The Sower.” He talks about the conditions under which the different seeds were sown. He speaks about the quality of the terrain. He also makes mention of the conditions under which these plants sprouted and grew, and with what results. When His disciples asked Him to explain one of the other parables, that of The Weeds of the Field (24-30, 36), two of the metaphors that He used are very important for our study today. He said, “The field is the world … the harvest is the end of the age” (Matthew 13: 38, 39, NKJV).
God is the Gardener par excellence! He has granted us the privilege to be co-gardeners with Him. We know that this sowing does not only take place in our individual lives, but it goes beyond our lives to include the plot of land in which each of us are sowing daily (our sphere of influence). The entire world is the field. Everyday we are scattering seeds that will produce a harvest! He warns us that whatever we sow, that is exactly what we can expect to reap. How devastating it would be to be lost. But just think of how dreadful it would be, if because of our influence others are lost! May God help us to be responsible gardeners!
“The harvest is the end of the age.” Talking about the end of the world, or age, is not a popular thing to do, nowadays. But whether we talk about it or not will not keep it from coming to pass. The reason people who have a relationship with the Lord are not afraid to talk about this topic is because “[we] know the [O]ne in whom [we] have put our trust, and [we are certain,] that [H]e is able to guard until that day what [we] have entrusted to [H]im” (2 Timothy 1: 12, NRSV)!
It is our privilege to sow seeds for eternal life; or, God forbid, we can sow to our flesh, and reap corruption. And we are aware that corruption is a symbol of death (Acts 13: 35). There are times that we may look around us and see evil apparently “prospering” and begin to wonder if it is worth the while to be faithful. If you and I ever find ourselves there, let us heed the words of the LORD, “So let us not grow weary in doing what is right, for we will reap at harvest time, if we do not give up.”