God reveals so much to us about the spiritual through His creation.
From the beginning, Adam and Eve were tending a beautiful garden, along with a calling to multiply God's glory.
This perfect plan was disrupted, but the call on our lives remains.
God has a role for us to play, a purpose in His work -
especially now that redemption is needed.
Planting and harvesting
We see the work of a farmer. We know the miracle of a seed.
Every good farmer knows his place in the process.
He knows the toil, but trusts in the unseen growth.
He knows the mystery of the hidden things that work beneath the surface.
He knows he's not in control.
There's a faith in farming, because
Only God makes things grow.
We have to know our role in order to fulfill our role.
Jesus also said, “The Kingdom of God is like a farmer who scatters seed on the ground. Night and day, while he’s asleep or awake, the seed sprouts and grows, but he does not understand how it happens. The earth produces the crops on its own. First a leaf blade pushes through, then the heads of wheat are formed, and finally the grain ripens. And as soon as the grain is ready, the farmer comes and harvests it with a sickle, for the harvest time has come.” - Mark 4:26-29
Notice, Jesus talks about our roles in the Kingdom through this analogy.
We plant and harvest.
We can't pry the seedling out.
We can't force things to take root.
There are ways to help nurture and care,
but the growth - the life - is the LORD's.
In the spiritual -
Planting is speaking the Word of God.
It's sharing the message of Jesus and the Good News of Salvation.
The seed is not our creation. If you tamper with it, it's useless.
If you hold it or keep it, it's useless. It has to be spread for planting.
Harvesting is bringing in and celebrating the new life.
The harvest is not for our glory.
God, alone, is glorified for His saving work.
The brand new life brings honor to His name and multiplication of His Kingdom.
The ability to bring life from the seed belongs to God - ONLY GOD.
Calling life out of a dry, little seed = miracle.
The way a stem will reach and push up for light = miracle.
The way roots know how to sink down for nutrients = miracle.
The extension of leaves to draw in as much sun as possible = miracle.
A brand new, fruitful life ready for harvest = miracle.
Our obedience plays a part. We need to be ready and willing to work, but we have to understand our place.
If you look over the earth, you realize God doesn't need the farmer, but he blesses his work and calls him to purpose.
God doesn't need us, but calls us and has purposed to work through us for His glory.
Are you working?
Are you laboring in the field?
Planting? Harvesting? Watering for growth?
God is seeking those who will labor with purpose.
Those who understand the power of the "Seed".
Those who will sacrifice for the sake of others.
Those who understand the eternal value of the "Harvest".
Jesus told them“The harvest is great, but the workers are few. So pray to the Lord who is in charge of the harvest; ask Him to send more workers into His fields." - Luke 10:2
Let's get to work, but remember -
Only God makes things grow.
So neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow. - 1 Corinthians 3:7
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