I often talk with people who are waiting on that perfect situation before getting involved. Believing that they would thrive in a certain role, they refuse to get involved until that moment comes along. Instead of waiting on that perfect something, just do something! Don’t sit around – get involved in any part of God’s Kingdom process.
I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God made it grow. So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow. -1 Corinthians 3:6-7 (NIV)
Paul specifically writes that there will be times when we sow, times when we water, and times when we reap.
- Sometimes we will sow the seed of the gospel, explaining the gospel to someone in which they hear it for the first time.
- Sometimes we are called to water the seeds by being involved in a non-Christian’s life, encouraging them to make the decision that they are so close to making.
- And sometimes we will be allowed to reap the harvest as we get to be a part of the moment when someone becomes a Christian.
The most significant thing is that we are active in sharing the gospel, not concerning ourselves with which part of the process we’re presently involved.
There is no one who is supposed to stand on the side; everyone is to be involved in the spreading of God’s Kingdom. We were created for our Maker, and God has made plans for us to live an abundant life in Him (Jn. 10:10). Yet we will never fully discover the life that God has for us if we sit on the sideline, not participating in the game.
One of the toughest parts about a mission trip or a ministry project is not necessarily the work, the conditions, or the people to whom you are ministering.
For me, the hardest part is always the same – leaving.
It is so hard to invest everything that you have into the life of another and then turn around and leave at the end of the week, possibly never to return. While sometimes you have the satisfaction of knowing that you will eventually see them again at the feet of our Heavenly Father, it is not always so.
The most difficult thing that I have ever had to do was leave a person and walk away knowing that he or she did not yet acknowledge having a relationship with Jesus Christ. I could still pray that God would continue to send other people (Mt. 9:38) to continue watering the gospel into that child’s life, but it’s still hard leaving.
God knows His plans; He knows the plans that He has for each of our lives. Sometimes God calls us to do things that do not make sense to us, but then again, we don’t see the big picture. At times, we just have to place our trust in God’s hands. Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 12 that we are not all called to the same position. We cannot all be teachers, preachers, or worship leaders, yet we are all a part of God’s plan.
Take a look again at 1 Corinthians 3:6-7. God used the sowing, the reaping, and the growing all to the glory of His perfect plan. And in the same way, God, the Lord of all Creation, will use you too.
Maybe you know that God is working on your heart and calling you. Will you answer? He has set a path for you to follow that will give you abundant life. Now is the time to seek after God with our whole hearts (Jer. 29:13). He is calling people to sow, reap, and water for the glory of His Kingdom, the question is not if we should go, but how.
Thank God that others’ spiritual growth is not up to how good you sow seeds or can water them. God causes the growth. So, do your part, and trust God for the results.
Travis Agnew serves as the Lead Pastor of Rocky Creek Church in Greenville, SC. His most recent book is Just (About) Married.