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My alarm goes off at 5:02am and I roll over to literally face the music (a chippy tune coming from my phone). The night before I set the coffee to brew at 4:48am so the fresh smell has already made its way up the stairs and into my room, enticing me to get out of bed. These early mornings have been a routine for a little while as it’s the only time I can get up and get some work done before the kids join me. I love this time, but there are many days I feel the effects of this early morning start and it can easily manifest into discouragement and asking myself, why am I doing this?
But then I was reminded of something. These early mornings, when I spend time with God, write, work on church ministry, or any other projects I feel God has put in my brain to get after – is my season of sowing. I am sowing seeds for God’s kingdom with every word I type and every prayer I whisper. I looked up the definition of sowing and it gave me two:
1: to plant seed for growth especially by scattering
2: to set something in motion : begin an enterprise
There are so many places where we find ourselves with opportunity to sow seeds for His glory and His kingdom. In ministry, relationships, our children, at home, or work. There are endless opportunities! And like a farmer, when it’s time to sow seeds in their field, they are motivated by the promise of what will come. But also like the farmer, we will feel the effects of this hard work: weariness, fatigue, and discouragement by not seeing immediate results. It’s hard work that requires discipline to keep going.
Sound familiar?
Galatians 6:7-9
Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life. And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.
The work may be hard, but it’s purposeful. What we do matters. The early morning wake-ups, the creative scheduling, the ceaseless prayers, the persistence to do what you know God has called you to - will all be worth it when the harvest comes.
We have to remember, what we do will not make us righteous and our actions will not save our souls. But, don’t fool yourself into thinking that because our actions don’t save us, they don’t matter. We are the hands and feet of God on earth, and what we do, matters. Our job is to show up with open hands, ready for God to get to work. It’s by Him the seeds are sown and by Him that they are harvested again.
The day is coming when all those drops of sweat and tears will be redeemed. When we sow those seeds unto the Kingdom of GOD (and not the kingdom of SELF), they will all be used for His glory. Not one minute of that hard work is unseen by our God who loves us so dearly. Just like it says in Galatians, do not lose heart. Keep doing what you know God has called you to. Hold to His promise that in due time the harvest will come! And then we all know that after the harvest comes the party! There will come a day when we are celebrating together the work that God has completed through us.
xo Becki
My question is in two part:
1. What are you sowing? Have you taken time to sit before God and ask Him where you can be sowing seeds unto Him and His Kingdom? I would encourage you to!
2. Have you been in a season of sowing for a long time without any harvest? I would encourage you to look at what you may be sowing unto. Are you sowing unto God? Or unto yourself? Our promise for harvest exists when our hearts are un-motivated for self-benefit.
