Wednesday, March 30, 2022

           We have probably all heard the expression that “we reap what we sow.”  Indeed, it has a biblical origin.  Galatians 6:7 says, “a man reaps what he sows.”  Generally speaking, the verse is saying we tend to get back what we give.  If we engage in dangerous or destructive behavior, we will likely suffer the consequences from it.  We could think of this as a boomerang effect.  Just as a boomerang is designed to return to the user or sender, sin tends to come back against us.  Harmful behavior that we inflict upon others can land on us too. 
            Proverbs 26:27 says, “If a man digs a pit, he will fall into it; if a man rolls a stone, it will roll back on him.”  Solomon is helping us to realize that we can become captive to our own sinful ways and schemes.  These things can easily blow back against us.  There is a cause-and-effect relationship in the spiritual world.  The antidote to this boomerang effect is seeking to do good and to sow seeds that are good.  We want to invest in good things for our lives and, likewise, we want to sow good things into the lives of family, friends and others we meet.  We want to uplift and encourage them by offering good seeds and not bad ones.
            You can proactively sow good in the lives of others with a warm text, an encouraging letter or card, a hug when someone is hurting or an email that offers your prayers at a challenging time.  Some of the people who do the best job of sowing good seeds into the lives of others are usually people who are below the radar.  They are not making a big deal out of what they are doing.  They are simply, quietly and graciously sowing and planting good into the lives of others. 
            There is a man in the New Testament named Barnabas who was known for his encouraging capabilities.  He was among the first to extend a hand of brotherhood and friendship to Paul following his turn away from being a terrorist and turn toward trusting in Jesus Christ.  Barnabas took a risk by sowing good seeds into the life of a man whose mere name raised fear and trembling in Christians across the Middle East.  To be a man or woman who sows what is good, we often have to take a risk. 
            In the Old Testament, we read about the friendship enjoyed between David and Jonathan.  Remember Jonathan was Saul’s son.  And David was God’s chosen replacement for Saul after God had rejected him as king.  Jonathan could have stewed in a soup of bitterness and resentment.  But he did not do that.  He kept his friendship with David and always acted in ways that were in David’s best interest.  As Proverbs tells us, we never want to set traps for others and we never want to roll a stone on someone to crush him.  We want to offer an open hand of friendship and good seeds that we can plant for God’s glory.
            Today, take a look at the seeds you are sowing.  Pray for someone.  Send a quick text or email to brighten someone’s day.  Give a pat on the back to a friend whose love and support have meant the world to you.  Bless someone with a small gift that simply says I love you and I appreciate you.  Be one who sows good today so the harvest you reap is good as well.  Have a great Wednesday!