The Law of Sowing and Reaping:

“Do not be deceived; God is not mocked, for you reap whatever you sow. If you sow to your own flesh, you will reap corruption from the flesh; but if you sow to the Spirit, you will reap eternal life from the Spirit. So let us not grow weary in doing what is right, for we will reap at harvest time, if we do not give up.” Galatians 6:7-9 (NRSV)

We have the greatest impact upon our own lives and living. It is true that other people and our circumstances can certainly make an impression upon our lives; nevertheless anything that others do to us and think about us pales in comparison to what we do and think about ourselves. What are you sowing into your mind, heart, life and spirit? Are you planting seeds of doubt, fear, depression, pain, stress, drama and competition? Or, are you planting seeds of faith, love, joy, peace, gratitude and cooperation? The best way to determine what you have sown is to take a look at your harvest. We reap what we sow. Moreover, by God’s grace, we can reap some things that we have not sown, but even that doesn’t negate the fact that we have to deal with the consequences of what we plant.

This is not some super spiritualized way of saying that we deserve or have earned whatever bad things happen to us or around us. For the grace, love and providence of God would not abandon us merely to be the victims of our circumstances. No, understanding the law of sowing and reaping is actually a way to grab hold to your own authority and take the lead in your own life. We can be the change that we want to see in our lives and world. You do not have to act on every thought that comes into your mind. You do not have to keep making the same choices or mistakes. Whenever you know better, is a perfect time to do better and be better. You have the power to change yourself, which will almost always result in changing your life in the process.

Pay close attention to what you are sowing, not only in your own life but also in the lives of others. Make a decision to sow to the Spirit and not to the flesh (See Galatians 5:19-23). Sow seeds that are lasting, sustaining, healthy and helpful. And then, cultivate and tend to what you have sown. For any good gardener knows that planting the seed is just the beginning; after that, you have to water, weed and watch what has been sown. This is why the word of God says that we will reap at harvest time as long as we don’t give up. For you can actually forfeit your own good harvest by being impatient, unreasonable, unfaithful, rash, unforgiving and inconsiderate. Harvests take time to grow. Allow the Lord of the harvest, to produce the best crops in your life. Don’t succumb to the flesh for everything done in the flesh will eventually pass away. Sow to the Spirit and live.

Jesus says: “Give and you will receive. Your gift will return to you in full—pressed down, shaken together to make room for more, running over, and poured into your lap. The amount you give will determine the amount you get back.” ~Luke 6:38 (NLT)