My husband and I planted a garden this summer - a huge garden.
Our garden became my sanctuary from the world.
Pulling weeds with sweat on my brow and dirt on my hands, I felt closer to my Maker than I had in a long time.
We worked with mutual excitement for the anticipated harvest, from preparing the soil to planting and watering the seeds.
Each morning my husband and I strolled to the garden, coffee in hand, marveling at every new sprout and each new blossom. Like a child on Christmas morning, the overnight surprises never got old.
Our garden tucked away from the world, began to feel like a place of promise, hope, and life.
In I Corinthians, we see where Paul, a missionary pioneer, brought the message of salvation to the church. He planted the seed of the gospel message in people’s hearts. Then Apollos built on Paul’s foundation—he watered the seed as he helped believers grow in their faith. Both men’s roles were different yet significant. The believers revealed their spiritual immaturity, thus causing division when some stated that they followed Paul, and others indicated that they followed Apollos. (I Corinthians 3:4)
Paul understood the real reason his labor produced a harvest.
Paul addresses the church and the problem head-on, “What, after all, is Apollos? And what is Paul? Only servants, through whom you came to believe--as the Lord has assigned to each his task. 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.” (I Corinthians 3:5-7)
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| Planting Onions |
How do we grow our faith, reach our goals and dreams, or raise families who desire to live for Christ? I believe we work diligently to plant, nurture, and tend to our gardens.
But God makes them grow!
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| Harvesting Onions |
There is a tremendous personal cost when committing to planting, caring for, and harvesting a garden of any kind.
My husband was better in some parts of gardening than me. And I was better in other areas of gardening than him. The real joy was in partnering together for a shared goal: a harvest.
The work of the harvest involves a lot of different individuals with a variety of gifts and abilities. “For we are God’s fellow workers, you are God’s field, God’s building.” (I Corinthians 3:9)
Sometimes we get to be a part of something miraculous, glorious, spectacular. It will not be easy nor will it happen in a minute. We may never be noticed or applauded. However, the harvesting journey will be life-changing if we are willing to stay the course.
And we may see God’s glory in a place or a face that we least expect.
Quite possibly on an ordinary morning, coffee in hand, as you stand in awe and wonder at the garden that God has grown.
Stay the course...
Sheila
