Out for a jog recently, I saw a whole lot of people out and about planting flowers. It's a little late in the season, but hey, it's Michigan. As I crawled by them, shoving my stroller and heaving, I had to chuckle (in my mind, of course, I certainly didn't have the lung capacity for laughing at the time). I chuckled to myself because it brought back memories of last summer when, for the first time in my life, I planted flowers. I was so excited to have a yard that I took Lowes by storm and loaded up my car, ready to start on my garden that would obviously be featured in Better Homes and Garden magazine. Then I got to the planting.
After I weeded what can only be described as a jungle with thorns, I prepared to dig my first hole for a marigold. Now, I'm no body-builder, but I found this far more difficult than it should've been. Turns out there was a giant tarp underneath the dirt, something you "plant people" use to retain water and stop weeds or some nonsense like that. Planting suddenly got a little harder. But after hours upon hours of perseverance, I was done. Or so I thought. Then came the maintenance. I had to water them. Everyday. Ugh. We didn't have a hose, so pregnant me waddled to and fro struggling with a bucket to water these silly things. I finally gave up and let most of them die. One plant was actually so stubborn that I finally stepped on it so I would feel justified not watering it anymore.
I've found that sowing seeds of the spiritual nature have some similarities. A lot of times, when I tell someone about Jesus, I find that I expect them to fall to their knees and accept Jesus on the spot. I want the beauty of the garden without the work of the planting and maintaining. Don't get me wrong, there are times when an immediate reaction occurs, but that often takes place because someone else has already tilled the soil and planted the seed. If you're the one planting the seed, be prepared for some work, some thorns and a whole lot of patience.
When I first started to realize how trying it can be to plant seeds in the lives of the people around me, I was overwhelmed. I felt all this pressure and got pretty discouraged. But then God reminded me of a simple and beautiful truth through the words of Paul. The church in Corinth was struggling over who to listen to and who to follow, so Paul reminded them: "I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God has been making it grow. So neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow" (1 Corinthians 3:6-7). So take heart and know that God alone offers salvation, God alone makes the seeds you plant and water grow. Not you, not me. By all means, don't stop watering the lives of the people around you, but remember that only God can make things grow. So plant and water the souls you meet and praise God that his thumb is greener than mine.
