What Kind of Seeds Do You Sow?

We’ve all heard the saying “you reap what you sow,” but to me it always sounded like some kind of threat.

It’s often used with a cautionary tone or thrown into conversations about others or after a display of unacceptable behavior. And yet it’s true. We do reap what we sow. This cultivates (or degrades) our spiritual growth.

“For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life” (Galatians 6:8)

Sow good seeds. Even if they go unnoticed, life will start to change. Just like in a garden, healthy plants take time to sprout up, yield fruit and spread about. Insects will attack them. Weather conditions will threaten them. But good fruit will grow from a well-maintained and nurtured garden.

It takes time and patience.

Didn’t Sow Good Seeds in the Past?

We can feel genuinely sorry for taking crooked roads in our past, for taking wrong turns, but then we must seek forgiveness–get right with God–and move on. Even if we continue to see present consequences or feel guilt, the point is to not get stuck there.

Do what it takes in the present to make amends, whether physically, verbally or spiritually, but then move on and live a good life. Maya Angelou once said, “Do the best you can until you know better. And when you know better, do better.”

Keep promises and commitments moving forward. Speak the truth. Recognize negative thoughts and behaviors for what they are without blaming and holding grudges. Forgive at every turn.

We can sow good seeds, and whether we ever taste the harvest or not, we will feel good. We will feel like we’re living the right kind of life, the good life in Christ. Luke 6:38 says, “Give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you.”

Today’s a good day to ask yourself: What kind of seeds am I planting?