Reaping what you sow (and getting so much more)
If you wanted to be an endurance runner, you wouldn't start by sitting on the couch, eating fast food all day.
If you wanted to be a brain surgeon, you wouldn't skip science class to play Mario Kart.
If you wanted to sell corn, you wouldn't plant sunflowers.
Results are a most heavily dictated by preparation. The more effective the preparation, the better the result. This is true in sports, business, negotiation, and certainly faith.
The Bible even tells us in Galatians 6:7-8, "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." Bottom line, we reap what we sow. This is basic stuff. Intro level Sunday School. Christianity 101. If this concept is so simple though, then why aren't more of us able to apply it? How come there are so many Christians who feel completely lost when it comes to living closely with God? Why are we often left so disappointed by the lack of fruit both in our relationship with or Creator, and our lives in general?
Admittedly, I have felt this way and struggled with these same questions in certain seasons of my life. At first, my gut reaction was to blame my circumstances. I was too busy, too young, or I didn't have the right spiritual gifts. As time passed though, and I still wasn't seeing fruit, I began to look outside myself. In all honesty, I started to blame God. How dare he not do his part and transform me in the spiritual warrior I wanted to be!
Maybe some of you are far too spiritually mature to struggle with something like this, but my guess is that most of you are, or at least have been, like me. The truth is, every Christian has seasons like this. Perhaps you're even in one right now. If so, I'd like to add a suggestion if I may. And I may, because it's my blog. Next time you find yourself dissatisfied with the lack of fruit in your life, instead of blaming your circumstances or God, why not try examining what types of words, thoughts, and activities you are sowing into your relationship with him?
Do you wake up in the morning and spend some relaxed, quiet time with The Lord? Or do you hit snooze eight times and then rush like mad just to get out the door with a bagel tucked under your arm?
Are you taking time each day to study God's word? Or are you watching Grumpy Cat and playing Call of Duty six hours a day?
When you have a problem, do you really take the time to pray about it? Or do you gossip to a friend who will always agree with you and tell you're right no matter what?
I'm not trying to shame you for having friends, playing on the internet, or eating bagels. I do all three of those things, and I believe God wants us to take time to enjoy our lives in those ways and many more. But, if we never carve out any time before, after, or in between these activities to actively sow into our relationship with the Creator, then we can't expect to become Billy Graham anytime soon.
This is not me being mean, this is me being realistic. And you should be too. You wouldn't expect the guy who never picks up a playbook or a football to become a professional quarterback. Why should being a professional disciple be any different?
Now, if you are totally satisfied with your hurried, Grumpy Cat lifestyle, then by all means, go for it. But if perhaps you find yourself unsatisfied and desiring to see more fruit in your relationship with The Lord (which I'm guessing is the case if you've read this far) then it's time to start seriously considering the contents you sow into that relationship. Remember, results are most heavily dictated by preparation. Prepare your heart, and you'll be ready for him.
A bit of good news to finish things off: when we sow into our spiritual lives, we do not get out as much out as we put in. We get much, much more. Not only do the seeds we sow grow and earn interest, but the Bible tells us that they multiply to 30, 60, or even 100 times what was originally sown. (Mark 4:8)
If you wanted to be a brain surgeon, you wouldn't skip science class to play Mario Kart.
If you wanted to sell corn, you wouldn't plant sunflowers.
Results are a most heavily dictated by preparation. The more effective the preparation, the better the result. This is true in sports, business, negotiation, and certainly faith.
The Bible even tells us in Galatians 6:7-8, "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." Bottom line, we reap what we sow. This is basic stuff. Intro level Sunday School. Christianity 101. If this concept is so simple though, then why aren't more of us able to apply it? How come there are so many Christians who feel completely lost when it comes to living closely with God? Why are we often left so disappointed by the lack of fruit both in our relationship with or Creator, and our lives in general?
Admittedly, I have felt this way and struggled with these same questions in certain seasons of my life. At first, my gut reaction was to blame my circumstances. I was too busy, too young, or I didn't have the right spiritual gifts. As time passed though, and I still wasn't seeing fruit, I began to look outside myself. In all honesty, I started to blame God. How dare he not do his part and transform me in the spiritual warrior I wanted to be!
Maybe some of you are far too spiritually mature to struggle with something like this, but my guess is that most of you are, or at least have been, like me. The truth is, every Christian has seasons like this. Perhaps you're even in one right now. If so, I'd like to add a suggestion if I may. And I may, because it's my blog. Next time you find yourself dissatisfied with the lack of fruit in your life, instead of blaming your circumstances or God, why not try examining what types of words, thoughts, and activities you are sowing into your relationship with him?
Do you wake up in the morning and spend some relaxed, quiet time with The Lord? Or do you hit snooze eight times and then rush like mad just to get out the door with a bagel tucked under your arm?
Are you taking time each day to study God's word? Or are you watching Grumpy Cat and playing Call of Duty six hours a day?
When you have a problem, do you really take the time to pray about it? Or do you gossip to a friend who will always agree with you and tell you're right no matter what?
I'm not trying to shame you for having friends, playing on the internet, or eating bagels. I do all three of those things, and I believe God wants us to take time to enjoy our lives in those ways and many more. But, if we never carve out any time before, after, or in between these activities to actively sow into our relationship with the Creator, then we can't expect to become Billy Graham anytime soon.
This is not me being mean, this is me being realistic. And you should be too. You wouldn't expect the guy who never picks up a playbook or a football to become a professional quarterback. Why should being a professional disciple be any different?
Now, if you are totally satisfied with your hurried, Grumpy Cat lifestyle, then by all means, go for it. But if perhaps you find yourself unsatisfied and desiring to see more fruit in your relationship with The Lord (which I'm guessing is the case if you've read this far) then it's time to start seriously considering the contents you sow into that relationship. Remember, results are most heavily dictated by preparation. Prepare your heart, and you'll be ready for him.
A bit of good news to finish things off: when we sow into our spiritual lives, we do not get out as much out as we put in. We get much, much more. Not only do the seeds we sow grow and earn interest, but the Bible tells us that they multiply to 30, 60, or even 100 times what was originally sown. (Mark 4:8)
