We are so blessed to have the beauty of God’s creation around us. When I see flowers, birds, fish, and wild animals, I am often reminded that God’s creative powers are amazing.
A few days ago, Todd Leda (one of my Christian brothers) and I volunteered to help plant bushes and trees at the school where our church meets. We considered it a community service project where we could show that we cared about the welfare of the people and institutions in our community.
The fact of the matter is that Todd and I planted more than trees and bushes that day—we planted seeds of kindness and Christian love. As those seeds begin to grow, I hope, in some way, our involvement will bring honor to Christ. Also, I hope that those seeds of Christian love will touch hearts and make it possible for more people to hear the message of Christ.
Wouldn’t it be wonderful if the children at the school knew that God created the world and everything in it? Then, they might think about Him, when they look at the trees and bushes. Those plants are a silent testimony to their Creator, if the children just knew Him.
Furthermore, wouldn’t it be wonderful if some of the adults who worked with us that day remember us when they face a spiritual need in their lives? They might come to us because they sensed that we cared about them. Then, we could tell them about the One who loves them the most.
I realize that our small investment of time and energy was not a big deal. Nevertheless, God can use even our little efforts to draw people to Himself. The results of our influence on them will depend on their receptivity to Christ, but we have planted the seeds.
This sounds like a story that Jesus told one time. (Luke 8:5-8, 11 NIV) “A farmer went out to sow his seed. As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path; it was trampled on, and the birds of the air ate it up. 6 Some fell on rock, and when it came up, the plants withered because they had no moisture. 7 Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up with it and choked the plants. 8 Still other seed fell on good soil. It came up and yielded a crop, a hundred times more than was sown….This is the meaning of the parable: The seed is the word of God.”
Everyday that we come into contact with other people, we have opportunities to influence them and sow seeds for Christ. In some cases, like my community service project, we can consciously plan one of those opportunities. But even more exciting, if we are alert, are those unplanned opportunities to share a personal testimony or a Scripture that someone needs to hear. We can plant one of God’s seeds in their lives. And best of all, as that seed grows, we may have the privilege of telling them how they can have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior.
So, keep planting those seeds, even if you don’t see many results. When one of those seeds falls on the right kind of soil, it will produce a bumper crop.
Remember, God loves you and so do I.
Phil