Ready:
“They sow fields and plant vineyards that yield a fruitful harvest. He blesses them, and they multiply greatly..” – Psalm 107:37-38
Set:
There’s a video on social media of a basketball player on a prominent team whose efforts to encourage his teammates were continually rejected. On multiple occasions a play would be made on the court, and he’d go to give his teammates a high-five and the other players would just walk by. This athlete believed in supporting and encouraging his teammates and yet they continually rejected his attempts. Later in the video, it shows him on a different team handing out the same high-fives and every teammate returns his encouragement. He might’ve been on the “wrong team,” but he didn’t allow that to change his character.
We can relate Psalm 107: 37-38 to that situation. We don’t often get to choose the field but we are charged with planting seeds. Our teammates can seem like rough, hard clay or rock, or have thick spreading roots that prevent us from cutting through and getting deep with anyone. Maybe you’ve been on a team like this before, and it seems like no matter how hard you try, you don’t see any fruit. While we don’t get to choose the teams we are placed on, we do get to choose what we plant. The athlete chose to be faithful in consistently planting seeds of encouragement. And because he planted those seeds, he received a fruitful harvest later.
My challenge to you today is to continue to plant seeds even if you don’t see fruit. We leave the growth up to God; our part is just to be faithful in the scattering of seeds. I am sure it was greatly discouraging to be continually rejected by teammates, but the basketball player above knew he couldn’t control their behavior. The only person he could control was himself and he chose to do that well.
The fruit isn’t for us, but it is a reflection of who we are. Or more than that, Whose we are. It’s for the others around us and those who will come behind us. So let us sow and plant well, that we might yield a fruitful harvest no matter what field we are assigned.
Go:
What are you planting? What are you sharing with those around you and what are you leaving for those who will come behind you?
Our verses for today balance human effort and the divine work of God. How are you doing in being faithful in your role and trusting God in His?
Workout:
Overtime:
“Dear Heavenly Father, I want to sow fruitful seeds. I don’t want to try and control the outcome but just be a free and generous planter. I believe every seed You lead me to plant has a purpose for someone. Please help me to be consistent and faithful through your Holy Spirit no matter what field I am placed in. I know that Your way is better. Amen.”