As Easy as Sprouting a Seed
by Hannah Keeley
It’s springtime—finally! I’m sitting here in the dining room with the doors and windows wide open. I’m listening to birds sing outside, and carefully keeping an eye on a curious little bumblebee who keeps peeking inside through the door and popping back out again. If he gets up the guts to fly inside, I’m going to have to go after him with a broom!
I was thinking about planting today (I always get the hankering when I start seeing seed displays at the home improvement stores), and thought about how little thought we really put into it. It’s nothing for us to plant a seed and watch it grow. But do we ever stop to think about what a miracle that is? Who tells the seed that it’s time to burst forth? Who pushes those roots down and forces that stem up? How does it know?
Truth is, that little seed is just…
…following orders.
Mark 4:27-29 tells us that “The kingdom of God is like a man who scatters seed upon the ground. And then continues sleeping and rising night and day while the seed sprouts and grows and increases—he knows not how. The earth produces [acting] by itself—first the blade, then the ear, then the full grain in the ear. But when the grain is ripe and permits, immediately he sends forth [the reapers] and puts in the sickle, because the harvest stands ready.”
Did you get that? The farmer doesn’t know how it happens. God doesn’t expect us to have everything figured out. He just expects us to do what we can do, and let Him do what we cannot do. We can’t make the seed sprout and give us a harvest. That’s what God does. That’s why He is called the Lord of the Harvest. He created the law of sowing and reaping; and it has been in effect forever. And those laws apply to everything.
For God it’s as easy to create a million dollars as it is to sprout a seed. Same laws. Same principles. Same Lord. All we need to do is plug into them and participate. So it should be just as easy for us as well.
When it all comes down to it, the farmer can’t control the sun and the rain. That’s God’s work. He gets to work on that seed as soon as it’s sown into the ground. There are only two things the farmer can control: Sowing the seed and caring for the soil.
If you’ve been sowing seeds of money, kindness, effort, or any area of obedience to God, but you’re not yet seeing a harvest in your life. You may want to look at the condition of your soil.
Think about it. The farmer invests a lot of time and attention into his soil. He makes sure it’s healthy. It’s got lots of minerals and nutrients in it. It’s rich and dark. It’s aerated and weed-free. This isn’t an easy task. And it’s often one that a lot of people neglect.
The soil is our hearts. We can make all the righteous “moves,” but if our heart isn’t healthy, then we’re not going to see a harvest of plenty in our life. I’m not talking about watching your carbs and getting enough cardio. I’m talking about your spiritual heart. Are you harboring bitterness or unforgiveness? Are you jealous of others or short-tempered? Are you holding back affection or communication? God won’t bless that kind of soil any more than he will sprout a sunflower seed in the middle of the Sahara desert. It’s not a big mystery. It’s very clear. If you can sow, you can reap.
God’s ways are not as mysterious as you may think. Jesus said, “I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you” (John 15:5).
Why does He want us to know His ways? So we can be blessed! That was His whole plan in the first place.
So if you’re ready to get a harvest in your life, then get busy with your sowing and your soil. Step one, if you haven’t been giving, then start. Give your money, your time, your resources. But don’t just give thoughtlessly. Give with intention. Give with purpose. And give in full faith that a harvest is on its way.
And step two, care for your soil. Check your heart. If there is anything that is blocking the flow, then get it out and keep it out. The greatest commandment is not to tithe or go to church or even read your Bible. The greatest commandment is to love. If you’re not operating in love, it’s time to change that around so your seed can take root and grow. Love doesn’t hold grudges. It doesn’t talk bad about people. It doesn’t play the silent game. It doesn’t have a short fuse. Love simply loves.
God created you to be blessed. Sow the seed and let love flow through the soil of your heart; and just like sunshine follows rain, your harvest will come forth!
Now it’s your turn. Do you need to start sowing? Or care for the soil of your heart? Or both? Leave a comment and let me know. I would love to come alongside you and believe for a huge harvest in your life!
Hannah Keeley was once in overwhelmed mom living in a cluttered house, deep in debt, out of shape, and barely hanging on. But one day, after finding herself sobbing uncontrollably into a pile of clean laundry, she realized God has bigger and better plans for her (just like He does for each one of His children). Beginning that day, she began making changes in her life that took her from overwhelmed to overjoyed. Today, she’s helping moms do the same. Hannah, her husband, Blair, and their seven children live in Richmond, Virginia, and are having the time of their lives!
Check out Hannah’s Website Here!
