“Those who generously sow love in other people can expect to harvest generous love.”
Thoughts from daily Bible reading for today – May 24, 2021
Whoever sows sparingly will reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. 2 Corinthians 9:6
My wife Rita and I recently celebrated our friend Pam’s life after she went to be with Jesus. For more than 18 months Pam battled ALS, a harsh disease that squeezed life from her body with daily doses of deterioration. Her husband Randy served her in love, strengthened by Holy Spirit resolve. Pam’s friends showered her with 165 meals and 650 cards of condolence. She reaped a harvest love, because almost every day of her life Pam planted seeds of love. A genuine smile. A listening ear. A comforting prayer. A timely gift. She was a generous lover.
Paul expanded on the teaching of Jesus by explaining the principle of sowing and reaping. Most relevant in their agrarian society—whose meaning is not lost in our modern times. Gardens grow when well-kept by preparing the soil, planting good seed, cultivating, and watering—all with daily nurturing. In time, and under the right conditions, seeds sown reap a harvest. The same idea relates to seeds of love sown in the lives of others. Those who generously sow love in other people can expect to harvest generous love. Seeds of love grow into an orchard of good fruit.
“So it will be until God pours out the Spirit from above, and the land comes alive again—desert to fertile field, fertile field to forest. Then justice and truth will settle in the desert places, and righteousness will infuse the fertile land” (Isaiah 32:15-16, The Voice).
The Holy Spirit is the originator and initiator of love that lasts. The divine roots of love go deep into the soil of a humble heart, ever ready to serve another in Jesus’ name. As you submit to the Spirit’s influence on your life—the fruit of the Spirit will be evident in your life: “love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control” (Galatians 5:22-23). A Spirit filled life is incapable of not loving. Just as sunflower seeds grow brilliant yellow flowers, so the seeds of love grow an attractive, irresistible life. Plant seeds of love in the power of the Spirit!
Are you a generous lover, whose life and death will be defined by an abundant harvest of love? Everyday look for ways to plant the seeds of love. Look into the eyes of someone who serves you either personally or professionally, say her name and thank her for her work. Slow down and get to know those around you—their dreams and desires, the names of their spouse and children. Learn the love language of family, friends and work colleagues—so you can love them in a way that makes them feel loved. Sow seeds of love in Jesus’ name, and an orchard of love will remain beyond your death. Like Pam’s life, a zeal for loving others will follow for generations to come!
“But the mercy of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting on those who fear Him, and His righteousness to children’s children, To such as keep His covenant, And to those who remember His commandments to do them” (Psalm 103:17-18, NKJV).
Prayer
Heavenly Father, each day by the power of your Spirit, lead me to plant seeds of love in other hearts, through Christ’s love and, in Jesus’ name, amen.
Application
Who needs me to not give up planting seeds of love, even though they seem unresponsive?
Related Reading
Psalm 126:5-6; Isaiah 55:10; Galatians 6:7-8; James 3:18
Worship Resource
I Am They: Christ Be Magnified
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