Articles
Either Plant or Water
Either Plant or Water
In order for a plant to grow the seed must be planted. Even very, very old seeds will grow when the conditions are right. In an article entitled, "Wildflower blooms again after 30,000 years on ice." This article was by, Sharon Levy February 21, 2012.
Of course, considering the age of the earth by the biblical record, it seems a bit wild. More in keeping with the age of the earth would be the date palm grown from seeds roughly 2,000 years old.
The point I am trying to make is that when the seed is planted, it will grow. But that is the key it must be planted. In the parable of the sower, Jesus makes it clear that the seed sown is the word of God.
Then as Paul recounts the conversion of the Corinthians in 1 Corinthians 3:4-6, he says this, "For when one says, "I am of Paul," and another, "I am of Apollos," are you not mere men? What then is Apollos? And what is Paul? Servants through whom you believed, even as the Lord gave the opportunity to each one. I planted, Apollos watered, but God was causing the growth."
Make no mistake; growth is impossible if the seed is not planted. Oh, to be sure God could have chosen another method of spreading the Word. But from the beginning, Jesus said to His disciples "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation. He who has believed and has been baptized shall be saved, but he who has disbelieved shall be condemned." Mark 16:15-16
Now it has been about 2,000 years since the message was first preached, sown in the hearts of men and from that time the planting and watering have continued.
You may have other skills and talents, and certainly that is true, as stated in Romans 12:4-8, "For just as we have many members in one body and all the members do not have the same function, so we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. Since we have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, each of us is to exercise them accordingly: if prophecy, according to the proportion of his faith; if service, in his serving; or he who teaches, in his teaching: or he who exhorts, in his exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness."
But think about it, we are many members with many talents, but only because someone planted the Word within us, and someone watered it.
Maybe not all can plant but let me suggest everyone can water.
