Sow What?

There is a principle in scripture, a law instituted by God, we refer to it as the law of the harvest, meaning that what one sows, of the same kind one will eventually reap. We see this principle illustrated throughout the Word of God, as well as in contemporary times. To those who may want to manipulate this principle, attempting to relegate it to suggestion status, Paul would warn the Galatians that one cannot pull the proverbial wool over God’s eyes with pretense, is is in fact a foundational law (Gal. 6:7).

During Jesus’ ministry, Matthew thirteen records a discourse that takes place between Jesus and the twelve disciples concerning the nature of the Kingdom of God. In parable form, Jesus speaks of a sower who sets out to sow. The seed that is sown falls on various terrains. The seed which fell on good ground yields a harvest, some a hundredfold, some sixty and some thirty. Jesus would then explain the parable informing them that the seed is the word of God. Those who receive the Word of God into their lives, hearing and understanding, bear fruit of the Kingdom, eventually culminating in eternal life. Similarly, Paul teaches us that if we sow to our flesh, the harvest that we reap is one of corruption or death (Gal. 6:8). The question then becomes, what are we sowing?

Too often we overemphasize the harvest and minimize the process of sowing. We desire to “win souls,” to see growth in our personal lives and in our churches, setting fantastic goals to stretch for. The danger is that we become so focused on results that we shrink from or ignore the process. Paul is clear in his letter to the Corinthians, while one can plant and another can water, only God can give the increase (1 Cor. 3:6-7). The early church embraced the process, sowing and watering by continuing steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine, fellowship, prayer, daily with one accord in the temple and boldly proclaiming the Gospel. Yet, they were unable to add one person to the church, it was “the Lord who added to the church daily those who were being saved” (Acts 2:47).

As we enter a new year, it is time to step back and evaluate where we are at in our pursuit of God’s vision for this year. Has our approach been to wait for God to send a harvest? Or, oppositely, have we attempted to force a harvest? Let us focus on instituting initiatives designed to sow to the Spirit, sowing the Word of God into our communities. If we will go, weeping, bearing precious seed, we will come again with rejoicing, bringing our sheaves with us (Ps. 126:6). Be encouraged, if you have been sowing, you will reap in due season if you do not lose heart (Gal. 6:9). In fact, if we will take a good look around, we will discover that there is a ready harvest waiting, because someone, somewhere has been sowing (John 4:35).

Because of the Times

  “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of Light, it was the season of Darkness, it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair, we had everything before us, we had nothing before us, we were all going direct to heaven, we were all going direct the other way - in short, the period was so far like the present period, that some of its noisiest authorities insisted on its being received, for good or for evil, in the superlative degree of comparison only.”

  The above paragraph is the first paragraph of the Charles Dicken’s classic, A Tale of Two Cities.  The opening phrases are some of the more famous lines in all of literature, “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times...”  The paragraph eloquently contrasts the polar opposites that were perceived by Dickens to be present during the era of the French Revolution.  During the past few years, it would appear that these words ring true in our current age as well.


     We awaken daily to wars and rumors of wars, mind-boggling natural disasters, political and social upheaval that place nations and ultimately the world in a state of turmoil and insecurity, and we could go on.  Yet, there is also great revival, new harvest fields are being entered into with the initiating of new church plants, established churches are renewing themselves with fresh vision and purpose. Children are being introduced to the savior; students are learning to apply the Holy Writ in practical, everyday ways; parents are learning to trust in the Lord as they navigate troubled economic waters and relational land mines; elders are reenlisting, realizing that God still has more for them to do.  These are great times!

  It is Because of the Times that we must not slumber, nor sleep; rather, we are to remain diligent and sober.  No doubt, God has placed us in the State of Illinois “for such a time as this;” to use the words of Mordecai, a man who navigated treacherous times himself (Esth. 4:14).  Let us intentionally band together as the united body of Christ, understanding that we have been strategically placed in our world to fulfill God’s purposes in this generation.  While we remain aware of the evil that is in our world, let us give ourselves to realizing the best that God has for our world, the wisdom, belief, light, hope and eventually eternal life for the faithful.  Embrace the words of the Apostle Paul, “And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart” (Galatians 6:9).

Coming Soon!

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