4 minute read
“You will eat the fruit of your labor; blessings and prosperity will be yours.” (Psalm 128:2 NIV)
Labor hard; experience God’s blessing.
The authors of the books in the Bible often use farming to make their points. One reason is because they lived in agricultural communities. Unlike us, if they wanted food, they had to grow it. Today we have grocery stores; back then, they did not. Everything they ate, they worked hard to get. If they planted much, they received much. If they planted little, they received little. We may not have to grow our food today, but the same applies to us. The only difference, the seeds we plant are spiritual seeds.
As Christ-followers, the fruit of our labors are:
“ …love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.” (Galatians 5:22-23 NIV)
If we want to produce the fruit of the Spirit, we must plant the seeds. When we have the opportunity to love, love. Give joy to people; however, you can. Work to maintain peace in your relationships, even if distance is the answer. Forgive when someone needs forgiveness. Choose kindness in all situations. Let goodness flow from you to others. Allow God’s faithfulness in your life to flow to those around you. Seeds of gentleness and self-control multiply once planted. The more you plant, the more you reap.
Tend the garden.
To receive seeds for planting, we must first go to God to get them. Through our relationship with our Creator, He gives us the seeds we need. From His abundance, we plant our gardens.
Once you plant the seeds, take every opportunity to expose them to the Son. Let His light shine through you to them, allowing the roots to grow. Water the kernels from the love God pours into you as you connect with Him. Daily conversations with God will help you nurture and grow your garden to an immeasurable size.
Whether my Aunt Margie was expecting me or not, she was always ready with a warm meal. Moments after walking through her door, she would head to the kitchen and start cooking. My aunt nurtured her garden with food. Sitting at her kitchen table, she planted the seeds of God’s Spirit in my life that are continuing to grow. Years have passed since God called her home to heaven, yet the work she did in my life is still producing fruit.
Aunt Margie’s immense faith gave her a vast garden. She was in constant communication with her Creator, no matter what the circumstances. Her deep relationship with God overflowed into all of her other relationships. In everything she did, she labored for those she loved.
Labor hard for God. Receive His goodness, plant His seeds. Experience His blessing.
Question of the Day:
Where can you plant seeds today?
Further Reading:Joel 1:1-3:21NIV, Revelation 1 NIV, Psalm 128:1-6 NIV, Proverbs 29:18 NIV
