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).