Reap What You Sow

I’ve often heard the words, “you reap what you sow”. For me this was also used in the context of being nice to others. However, the other day, I was sitting with my family sewing when I was struck with the power of moments and the way in which we “sow” things often. I was in the process of sewing some pillow seams back together, and in doing so, the conversation began around the idea of buying new versus fixing what you have. It seems that there is a general overconsumption in our world that always wants to just buy the next thing or the new thing. I couldn’t help but wonder if there wasn’t a different and better way to see the way that we live our lives, as if we are sowing into something. Galatians 6:7 “Don’t be deceived: God is not mocked. For whatever a person sows he will also reap,” This type of mindset is one that seems to be reflective of a person who is thoughtful in the way that they live. With that idea in mind, here are a few ways that you can sow differently to see change around you.

Sow sensibly

The first area of consideration is to begin to sow sensibly. In Luke 14 Jesus is teaching about counting the cost of following him when he asks this question. “For which of you, wanting to build a tower, doesn’t first sit down and calculate the cost to see if he has enough to complete it?”. I love the question Jesus ask because it builds into the conversation that there must be a very practical approach to following Jesus. When we take this approach to following Jesus, we see that there are benefits to using this style of living in all areas. When we begin to “sow” we are making choices, that have lasting consequences both potentially positive, and negative. When we do this correctly, we make choices, or sow, in such a way that can impact others. However, we must do that in a way that is sensible. From the start, we have to sow sensibly.

Sow steadily

The quote that is living rent free in my head lately is that it is better to be consistently good, than occasionally great. It was brough back to my brain when preparing for a funeral service for a man who had lived a life with a big impact. During my time with the family, and the friends of the man that they went on and on about the seemingly small actions that the man had done that had a huge impact on them. There was never really a BIG single action that he did. Every person though was able to share story, after story, of the way he had been kind, generous, or made a difference. This is the type of lifestyle that teaches us what it means to sow steadily. I’d challenge you today to look for opportunities to sow the fruits of the spirit, and Christlike character into your sphere of influence. Don’t necessarily look for the big moment. Be okay with a big amount of small impactful choices that lead to a life of big impact. 

Sow significantly

I recently had an opportunity to help a guy that I’ve been in contact with for a few months. He is between work and has quite frankly been having a rough time. However, he has always kept a smile on his face, and been a great example of someone who is trying hard and trusting God with the rest. In helping him, my first thought was how little can I do for him that would still be “enough”. As I thought about it, I laughed out loud. Who was I to be the one to try to just get by in my generosity. Whether it is with our time, treasures, or talents… The goal is to sow significantly. I never want to be the person who makes it heaven but knows that they could have done more. My aim is to hear someday “well done good and faithful servant”. My goal isn’t to hear someday “well done and good enough.” The difference being that I want to sow significantly. This means that I’ll incur some cost and have to give up some things I treasure. However, it is absolutely worth it in light of eternity.

Sowing leads to shifting

So, what is the point of all this sowing? The root word sowing is connected to the sowing of seeds. The long-term plan for sowing is the later reap what you have sown or planted. If we look at our lives as a farm that we are sowing into, my question would be what crop or seed are you sowing? An honest assessment of our lives could lead to the reality that our actions, or lack thereof are seeds of selfishness, envy, wrath, fear, safety, or a million other things. If we will truly reap what we sow, the goal should be to bring God glory. To do that, we need to be able to sow towards the goal of Making Jesus Known. This goal fundamentally changes what we sow, and of course how we sow it. When we sow to make Jesus known, we are making choices that should lead toward the life change that is found in Jesus alone. This sowing is something that is so much more than good vibes, best wishes, and positive thoughts. The goal of this style of sowing, is to see people meet and follow Jesus. My hope and prayer is that someday you and I will be able to look back at the fruit of entire lives and know that because we sowed sensibly, steadily, and significantly that there are people who have had their entire lives changed by Jesus. So go this week and sow some Jesus where you are at!