Planting and Harvesting

“The person who sows through human means will harvest decay from human means, but the person who sows in the Spirit will harvest eternal life from the Spirit. Let's not get tired of doing what is good, for at the right time we will reap a harvest—if we do not give up.”  (Galatians 6:8-9 ISV)

This year, I planted two raised-bed gardens. In the first bed, I planted seedlings that had already sprouted. These small plants, bought from a local store, gave me immediate satisfaction. They could be planted in neat rows with mulch in between to keep the weeds at bay. Since they were visible, they were easy to water, and they grew and matured quickly. In the second  bed, I planted seeds. For the first few weeks, it was disheartening. There were no visible signs of growth. Weeds popped up before the seeds sprouted. It seemed like I was just watering dirt and weeds. I almost felt like giving up on it.

The first garden is similar to investing in worldly pursuits. It yields visible, tangible results quickly. Since we are sowing through human means, it is more manageable--we have a certain degree of control over the outcome. It is gratifying to connect our efforts to the positive rewards.

The second garden is similar to investing in spiritual pursuits. We plant in faith; we water what we cannot see; we wait in hope. The timing and the results are beyond our control. It is difficult to take credit for anything.

Our human nature compels us to pay more attention to the first garden of worldly pursuits, where our investments and our returns are visible, manageable, and immediately gratifying--while neglecting our spiritual garden. Planting in the Spirit may not yield conspicuous rewards, but the the growth is enduring. So don’t give up. Keep investing in God’s goodness; wait for His timing and harvest.