We are in the midst of harvest season. For those who have planted gardens this year, all the hard work they have put into preparing the ground, sowing seeds, watering and nurturing their plants is finally paying off. Gardens are wonderful, but they do require lots of work. We know a garden will produce more if it is properly cared for. Even then, sometimes the things we plant don’t grow the way we want because of a lack of water, not enough sunlight, too much rain or being choked out by weeds.
Gardening is definitely not about just throwing seeds around and hoping they will grow. It takes time, dedication and patience. And what you harvest is completely dependent on what seeds you sow. For example, you would never think of planting carrot seeds and expecting to get peppers. It just doesn’t work that way. Every seed is specific to that species of plant.
Every day as humans we have a choice to plant seeds in the garden of life. We can plant love, kindness, compassion, grace, encouragement, forgiveness, mercy and happiness. We are also capable of planting hate, jealousy, bitterness, rage, evil, lust, strife, envy, and discouragement. This isn’t an exhaustive list, but you get the idea. And we have to be very careful of what we do plant because whatever we plant is what we will harvest.
We read in Galations 6:7-9: Don’t be misled—you cannot mock the justice of God. You will always harvest what you plant. Those who live only to satisfy their own sinful nature will harvest decay and death from that sinful nature. But those who live to please the Spirit will harvest everlasting life from the Spirit. So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up.
I have heard people blame God for what is going on in our world. God isn’t to blame because He gives us free will to sow the seeds of our heart. The choice is entirely ours.
When we plant seeds in our garden of life for things which will only please ourselves rather than God, it will be filled with death and decay from our sinful nature Share on XWhen we plant seeds in our garden of life for things which will only please ourselves rather than God it will be filled with death and decay from our sinful nature. Nothing can live forever in a garden of sin. If our heart is full of hate, we harvest hate. Temporary pleasure gives temporary life. However, when we plant seeds of love for God within our heart and share our harvest with others, it produces an eternal life full of permanent blessing. We thrive when we have the light of Christ, and His living water flows through us.
Sometimes a stray weed seed will start to grow in our garden, but we have to be careful to get it out as soon as possible. This means yanking it out by the roots so it can’t take hold and infiltrate our whole garden. Have you ever noticed how a weed can look just like a good plant, but it doesn’t produce anything and ends up choking out the good plant? We have to learn to recognize the weed that mocks the plant.
There are people who are the same way. They may look and sound great, but the more we see of what they are sowing and harvesting, the more we realize they are just raising weeds. The fact is, God knows what you are sowing. You are either sowing life or death, but know that whatever you sow, you will reap. The beauty is, when we choose to sow seeds to please God we are given the ability to know the difference.
There are so many seeds of hate being sown in America’s garden right now that unless we work hard in our own gardens to plant seeds of love everywhere we go, hate will be the bumper crop. We need to weed out the hate so God’s love can overtake it and fill our hearts and land with His Spirit. It is going to be hard work, but we are encouraged not to give up doing what is good! What a beautiful harvest of souls it will be for the Kingdom of God.
So let me ask you, are you happy with what you are harvesting? Does it bring you delight or sadness? If you aren’t pleased with your harvest, the great thing is you have the opportunity to clear away the weeds and replant your garden for a harvest of love, peace, and contentment.
Such wise words at this harvest time of year. Indeed, we need to be aware of what seeds we are sewing and what fruit we are harvesting. Thanks for the pertinent reminder, Sheila. – Amy
http://stylingrannymama.com/
Right now, I’m having to focus on what I’m sowing into my youngest son’s life and how I’m teaching him what to sow himself.
Great reminder. Plant and grow the good!
It is so easy to get caught in the weeds with the world. Let our seeds bring good sustainable fruit in the lives of those we can influence.
Such a lovely and timely reminder for me. It’s important for us to not get sucked into the hate and negativity around us. If we can focus on planting good things around us, the blessings will come in return. 🙂
Cheers, Sarah Camille // SCsScoop.com
Hi, Sarah! I agree it is so easy to get sucked into the hate and negativity. Weeds always grow faster than the plant! You are right the blessings are there we just have to keep working the dirt! Blessings to you!
We do get the choice of what seeds to plant – love or hate. We do have to continually tend to our seeds of love so that the don’t get entangled by the weeds of this world.
Hi, Kristi! Yes, we do have a choice, and we have to be on the lookout for those pesky weeds for sure! Thanks for sharing!
This was my first year gardening and I loved it! It is so satisfying to grow your own food!
Hi, Jordyn! It is satisfying to grow your own food and I’m glad you enjoyed it. So, what seeds are you planting?
This is a great post! I was reminded of two things! First, I’m really awful at gardening! I like the idea of gardening but I don’t take the time to give the garden enough attention for the harvest to be good. That brings me to my second thought. The importance of recognizing and balancing my daily life garden. I can be so focused on one area that I neglect to pull the weeds from other areas!
Hi, Melissa! I can relate to what you are saying! Balance in our garden is key! Thank You for sharing!
Hi Sheila, this is a great reminder that we do reap what we sow!
Hi, Char!
Thanks for stopping by and inviting me to your link-up! I look forward to your newsletter! Blessings!
I love where you said that “God” knows what you are sowing! So much truth! You reap what you sow!! Be blessed! Very well done!
Hi, Keisha,
Yes, God knows even if we are trying to hide those seeds. We can be pretty good at lying to ourselves. Blessings to you and Thank You for your encouragement!
Oh my friend, I do not want “hate to be the bumper crop.” Currently It seems to be everywhere . It is crucial that we, born again Christians, love without boundaries that the lost will see Christ in us. I love you.
Hi, Sue! Hate is everywhere because the enemy knows his days are numbered. It is all the more important to demonstrate love without boundaries. If we as believers can’t get along how do we expect the world to take us seriously? I pray people always see Christ in us. You are a great role model in demonstrating God’s love! I love you too!
It’s so important to ask ourselves these questions each day. Thank you for the reminder!
Hi, Whitney, You are welcome! We all have a responsibility to sow seeds that make a beautiful life for all to see.
“Nothing can live forever in a garden of sin.” Sheila, I love this line. It seems hate and destruction are popping up all over our country right now. This is a great post . It draws our attention toward what we are sowing in our own lives. We can only harvest what we sow.
Hi, Sheila! It is and it makes me heartsick. How I long for the day there will be no more tears and the Lord reigns forever and ever! Meanwhile, I choose to plant seeds of love, hope, peace, mercy, and forgiveness all the things the Lord has given to me.