When I attended community college, I was the student worker for the life-science professor. Part of my responsibility was to oversee the greenhouse in preparation for our annual spring plant sale. The professor gave me his expectations of what I was responsible to do each week. Mostly it was to make sure the plants were sufficiently watered. This meant making sure they did not have too much water or too little water. I quickly discovered I did not have the greenest of thumbs and I was not able to easily tell if the plant was sufficiently watered.
Over the years, I have purchased plants and seeds to put in a flower bed, garden, or flowerpot. I tend to be the grunt laborer, while Nancy gives the guidance on proper placement, adequate water, and any needed food for the plant. I enjoy seeing and smelling the flowers when they bloom and seeing the enjoyment of people when the fruit/vegetable that is produced is consumed. Yet, I am not a master gardener or even a good recreational gardener…I have a “brown thumb.”
As farmers and gardeners are actively planting their fields, gardens, and flower beds, it reminds me of Jesus’ tendency toward agronomic explanations for discipleship and our growth in Christ. Paul picked up on this imagery as well when he wrote in 1 Corinthians 3:6-9:
I planted the seed in your hearts, and Apollos watered it, but it was God who made it grow. It’s not important who does the planting, or who does the watering. What’s important is that God makes the seed grow. The one who plants and the one who waters work together with the same purpose. And both will be rewarded for their own hard work. For we are both God’s workers. And you are God’s field. You are God’s building. (NLT)
Our calling as followers of Jesus is to sow and plant the seed of God’s Word as we walk along in our lives. We are called to tend the seed that is sown and planted with the hope and prayer that growth will come to the seed. We are not in charge of the growth—that is God’s job. We are also not responsible for all the fields, but the fields where God has placed us and called us to plant. This brings to light the beauty of our variety and uniqueness of churches and personalities to work in the fields. Jesus said after his interaction with the Samaritan woman in John 3:35-38:
You know the saying, ‘Four months between planting and harvest.’ But I say, wake up and look around. The fields are already ripe for harvest. The harvesters are paid good wages, and the fruit they harvest is people brought to eternal life. What joy awaits both the planter and the harvester alike! You know the saying, ‘One plants and another harvests.’ And it’s true. I sent you to harvest where you didn’t plant; others had already done the work, and now you will get to gather the harvest.” (NLT)
Where is God calling you to a life of discipleship where you are sowing and planting seed? Where is God calling you to a life of discipleship to water and tend the seed? How are you prepared for the harvest? Are you willing to work alongside other gardeners to work in the fields where there is need for harvest?
No matter if you have a “green thumb” or a “brown thumb,” we are called to plant, sow, water, tend, and harvest—God brings the growth.
Prayer: Thank you for calling us to sow, plant, water, and harvest the fields. When we feel weak or we try to bring the growth in our own power, remind us that you are the one who brings growth in the seed and in our lives. In Jesus’ name. Amen.