Recently, my husband and I spruced up our garden. I say "spruced up" because a few years ago, we made our very first attempt to plant fruit and vegetables, and let’s say it didn’t go quite according to plan. While we tried to baby those seeds, they barely grew, and the harvest was rather disappointing.
We all have good intentions when it comes to planting seeds. Whether that be with actual seeds that we pray will bear much fruit and yield a plentiful harvest, or when it comes to the nature of planting the seeds of faith.
Truth be told, while I hope and pray that this time around my garden will turn into an abundance of crops that will feed my family (or at least bear veggies larger than a slender toothpick), I am also a realist and hold a bit (or a lot) of doubt.
Sadly, I hold a similar mentality when it comes to planting seeds of faith, too. Maybe because I don’t always have the confidence to plant those seeds, or I don’t see the immediate impact as the investment and time poured in, only to see no real harvest, it can feel discouraging.
All this came to a tipping point when a casual conversation with my husband last night sparked a full-on debate on this very issue. It led me to ponder… what if we are looking at our gardening, especially our “faith garden,” all wrong?
Yes, planting takes a little planning, a bit of patience, and a lot of love. But it also takes a huge amount of trust and a soft heart willing to cling to the hope of a precious promise. A promise that guarantees life.
So, with that said, are you ready to sow some seeds?
If you quietly answered, yes, then I am glad you are here! Let’s first start by reawakening our own faith, then learn how to plant with a smidge of patience, water with love, and trust God with the entire process, especially the growth and harvest.
Reawaken Our Own Faith
Sweet friend, if I could offer you any encouragement today, it would be to tend to your own garden of faith first. There is a very good reason the stewardess on the plane tells us to put our own oxygen mask on first before helping others. It’s because we can’t truly give and share our faith with others (at least not to the best of our abilities) when our own faith is depleted, slowly dying, or lacking nutrients.
Now, to be clear, don’t take this to mean we shouldn't share our faith when our own faith is waning. In fact, there are good reasons why God may command you to do so, and we must always obey Him. All I am suggesting here is that when it comes to sowing seeds and sharing God’s love with others, we must know and trust the Gardener. That means getting in tune with the Lord and allowing Him to prune, enrich, and grow us as His beloved children (John 15:1-2), so that we can be a witness to His rich and overflowing love. We do this through the discipline of reverent prayer, digging into His Word for truth, and seeking His guidance and wisdom so that we can learn to love others well (John 15:4).
Plant with Patience
When we came home from the garden center, hauling a truckload of baby plants, my first inclination was to dread all the work it would take actually to get them into the ground. It felt overwhelming to say the least.
At times, I could feel my frustration grow, especially when carrying these plants up several flights of stairs (since our garden is on our upstairs balcony). Still, that feeling would quietly fade when I was gently reminded of their tender stems and fragile leaves. They were now ready to be planted, and I wanted to do so with great care. Digging the hole was easy. Gently removing them from their current pot and placing them in a new environment was not. Sadly, some of the leaves broke off, and dainty stems were snapped in the process.
But, isn’t that just how it seems to go when we plant a new life? I believe the same is true when it comes to planting “faith seeds” as well.
We may be able to share our testimony easily, but making it personal for an unbeliever or someone we deeply love is downright impossible. This is where we must express patience and remember we are dealing with fragile parts of another person’s life. Planting a seed with patience doesn’t take perfection; it takes a soft heart willing to respond to the nudge of the Holy Spirit.
How does planting seeds with patience look in our everyday encounters?
It could be as easy as keeping a few Bibles on hand and sharing them with those who come into your home who need a little guidance. It might mean meeting a friend for coffee and sharing how God is moving in your life. It could simply be humbly listening to your child as they struggle to find their own faith, offering nothing but an ear and gentle support. When we wrap each of these encounters in prayer, we are allowing God to use us to get a bit messy by digging into the dirt of our lives and others', but to rely on His timing with great patience.
Water with Love
Every day this week, I filled up our massive water bucket and gave every tiny plant a healthy dose of liquid IV (H2O). But today, the water came from above, and it was absolutely glorious. A gentle rain always has a calming, reassuring effect. As I glanced outside, I saw my precious plants smiling.
Knowing that Jesus describes Himself as “living water” (John 4 and John 7), it shouldn’t surprise us that we need to not only plant seeds with patience but also strive to gently give bold reminders that Jesus is the true source of life-changing water. New and emerging followers are often in a fragile state and need to be watered with love. That comes with pointing them to the source of nourishment, care, and tenderness they need to grow and will only find in our Lord Jesus Christ.
How does watering with love look in our everyday encounters?
First, continue to be patient and kind, leaning into prayer and on Jesus to lead your actions in love. Cultivate trust by checking in and encouraging them with verses, promises, and truth. Share opportunities to explore their faith through service and ministry opportunities that equip them to embrace their faith. Invite them to church, Bible studies, or for lunch to hear their heart. When they take steps on their faith journey, affirm their actions and offer your support and encouragement to continue walking in the light (1 John 1:7).
TRUST God Do the Growing
The hardest part about planting seeds, and I mean that in both the figurative and literal sense, is the amount of faith it takes to trust God with the entire process. Planting seeds isn’t easy; watering with love takes selfless acts, but quite possibly the harshest part (and the truth) is removing ourselves from the equation and relying heavily on God the Gardener.
Fellow believer, I understand the heart and sentiment behind sowing seeds of faith. In fact, we are called to go forth and spread God’s love with others and not be ashamed of the gospel (Romans 1:16). We are also commanded not to grow weary of doing good (Galatians 6:9), show compassion and kindness (Ephesians 4:32), and be the light in a dark world (John 1:5). But we can often take these truths and fail to see the promise that God is with us in every part of the planting process. Yes, even when it seems like the planting fails or the watering is causing them to crumble slowly. The truth of the matter is, God can seize and capture every moment, even the ones we may dismiss, such as the casual conversation with a stranger at the grocery store or the quick discussion with your child about everyday choices. God is with you. We are merely the broken vessel for His great work (2 Corinthians 4:7).
Trusting God allows us to step back so that God can step in. It’s inviting Him into conversations that let us share our faith. It’s seeking His wisdom on how to nurture the new Christ follower or extend encouragement in a way that fosters spiritual growth. Trusting God means letting go of the intentions we place on ourselves and others and holding on to hope, even when the faith seed you plant starts to look depleted or isn’t so receptive to the “light.”
There is a beautiful purpose in planting faith seeds in our everyday encounters, as it causes us to reflect on the simplicity of sowing while relying on God for the full harvest. This springtime, as you plant seeds, whether that be in your garden or everyday life experiences, pause and invite God in through prayer. Then act in humble obedience and plant with patience, water with love, and trust God will grow new life with abundance in His due time.
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