I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God has been making it grow.
1 Corinthians 3:6 (NIV)Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.
Galatians 6:9 (NIV)Your Job Is to Plant
Now that you have the tools, go. But remember: the harvest is God's job. Your job is to plant and water. And that is enough. It is not your job to make the seed grow. It is not your job to produce the harvest. It is your job to be faithful.
Paul said I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth. Notice who gets the credit. Not Paul. Not Apollos. God. And notice who gets the work. Paul and Apollos. The work is yours. The results are His.
Plant and Water
Planting and watering is not glamorous. It is showing up. It is being present. It is loving people. It is living differently. It is sharing your story when the moment comes. It is asking questions and listening. It is being faithful in the small things.
And then letting go. Letting go of the results. Letting go of the need to see the harvest. Letting go of the anxiety about whether it worked.
Do Not Give Up
Paul says do not become weary in doing good. Because you will get tired. You will wonder if it is worth it. You will wonder if anyone is listening. You will wonder if anything is changing.
And the answer is yes. Even when you cannot see it. Even when you cannot measure it. Even when you cannot feel it. The seed is being planted. The water is being poured. And God is making it grow.
Keep Going
Now that you have finished this series, decide that you will keep sharing. Even if it is hard. Even if you get rejected. Even if you do not see the results. Keep planting. Keep watering. Keep loving. And trust that God is doing the work you cannot see.
- What have I learned about sharing my faith through this series?
- How will I handle rejection if it comes?
- What is my next step in sharing my faith?
- Why is rejection not a measure of my faithfulness?
- What does it mean to trust God with the results?
- Am I willing to plant and water regardless of the harvest?
You have finished this series. But you have not finished the work. The work continues. The planting continues. The watering continues. And God continues to make it grow. Go and do the same.
God, I want to share my faith. But I do not want to be pushy, fake, or weird. Help me to love people well, live honestly, and share my story when the moment is right. Give me the courage to speak and the wisdom to stay quiet. Give me the grace to handle rejection without giving up. And remind me that the results are Your job, not mine. I will plant. You make it grow. In Jesus Name, Amen.
Plant. Water. Trust God with the growth. The harvest is coming. And it is bigger than you can imagine.
Day 5. With honesty and hope,
Claire