Chapter 3. Just a little note.
Posted 31 Aug, 2009 11:33 AM by Ron
I shared this on facebook, and then decided to share here as well (the slightly shorter version). I hope that this is something that encourages each of you today. Happy Monday!
I like to think I can do things on my own. I like to think that I don't need anybody, that I can handle it, that I am greater than I am. I try to live honestly. Of course I struggle, of course I get frustrated, and I yell at scott, or I get lazy and ignore my chores. I get irritated that the quizzers won't learn the 10 memory verses. AND...I'm a social worker at heart. I want to save and fix everyone. But I can't. Because only Jesus saves. Paul says in 1 Corinthians: So Neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God who makes things grow. (3:7).
BUT ONLY GOD. We can't change people's hearts. That's not our job. God didn't call us to that. God called us to plant. So, we get dirty. We dig. Or we water. we rinse. we nurture. But NEVER can we make it grow. NEVER can I, by my own strength or power change anyone. So we plant, or we water. and we wait. and God makes it grow.
Then I did a little research because I was frustrated. If I'm gonna get dirty, if I'm gonna work hard--i want to see what i'm working toward. Here's what I found: The saguaro cactus only grows ONE INCH in the first ten years of life? It doesn't flower until after its 60! But, its also the tallest cactus. It can grow taller than most trees. Over 50 feet. Planting is hard work. really hard work, and it takes time. we don't always see God working. We don't see the growth. But God's plan is bigger than ours, and what we can't see developing, may turn out to the be the strongest or greatest person of faith in our lifetime.
Today, my faith is in our Creator. The one who makes things grow. The one who places us in community to support each other, and who gives us the responsibility of planting. So that He can make things grow.
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