Nothing can grow without a seed

There are two major metaphors Jesus used to encourage us in soul-winning. The first is fishing. When Jesus called Peter and Andrew He promised them He would make them “Fishers of men” (Matthew 4:19).

There is one undeniable truth every angler who has ever stood on a bank untangling his line can tell you.  You aren’t going to catch fish if you don’t have your line in the water.

The same thing is true of Jesus’ other metaphor of growing crops: you aren’t going to have a harvest if you don’t plant seeds. The Apostle Paul wrote, “Paul planted, Apollos watered and God made it grow” (1 Corinthians 3:6).

Strange but true. Nothing grows without God and nothing grows unless we plant a seed. We are on this mission of soul-winning together with God. That’s how He wants it. Otherwise He would raise the crop by Himself.

I spent time on a farm as a kid. Nothing is worse than working in the field with someone who isn’t pulling his weight. Well, maybe one thing is worse: working with someone who is complaining instead of pulling his weight.

There are many ways to plant seeds, but most of the time we do it with a kind act or gracious spirit, followed by a conversation seasoned with salt. Every time I am told someone from the church family I serve did something incredibly kind in our community, I beam from ear to ear! It’s great to know people aren’t goofing off or complaining about the work. They are busy planting.

Today, I challenge you to pray that God will send one person into your life who needs His grace planted.  Then, when God moves, plant! Sometimes seasons are short and you need to get the seed in the ground when the time is right.

I am certain God has a soul in mind. “Pray for One.”

Then be ready when God moves!