"Whoever watches the wind will not sow, and whoever looks at the clouds will not reap. Just as you do not know where the breath comes from and how bones form in the womb of a pregnant woman, so you do not know the works of God, who makes all this. Sow your seed in the morning and let your hands not be idle until evening, because you do not know whether this or that grain will prosper, or if both will be equally good." (Ecclesiastes, Chapter 11, verses 4-6*, emphasis is ours)
Spring is here. And no, we are not just talking about the new season felt in the scent of the wind, the touch of the sun’s rays, or the song of birds around. The season of awakening to new life is here. Are we tired of the grayness, fear, feverish thinking, and questions that seem to have no answers in the coming months? Perhaps no thought is more disempowering than this: "There is no point in fighting.” Another similar thought is: "Everything is going wrong.” These are the "clouds" and "wind" that Solomon talks about in the book of Ecclesiastes. If we listen to the impulse around us, if we shiver from the cold in the shadow of the clouds, fearfully gazing at the sky, any creative force within us will melt away. Why? Because fear enters through the ears and eyes just like faith does: "Faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word about Christ." (Romans, Chapter 10, verse 17*)
The truth is, we really do not know. None of us know exactly what awaits us in the next weeks, months, or even days. Just as a farmer has no guarantee that what he sows and invests in will yield enough to cover the loss at least. So why does he sow, why does he cultivate? Why would someone put in work, time, effort, energy, dreams, and care for something that could end up a complete failure and disappointment? What can motivate us at a time when everything is shrouded in mist? We need to answer two other questions before that.
- What does God want from me now?
The question is what God wants, not what we or you want. In fact, if we truly long to know God, His character, the truth of His Word, then at some point our aspirations and dreams will start to align with His will. There is nothing better than God’s goals and desires for our lives, this is a truth we can trust. Alas, our hearts and minds haven’t always reached this maturity or fully accepted this truth. So we can’t rely solely on ourselves and the things we want. Every dream, longing, desire, goal, and effort we make must align with God’s word. And it won’t be a dry command that we’ll follow just because "it’s right," but it will be the most inspiring thought in our mind in the morning when we wake up and the most satisfying feeling in the evening before we sleep. God's will is perfection, inspiration, and creativity. "Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will." (Romans, Chapter 12, verse 2*) Our renewed mind will recognize what God desires, will agree with it, and will be inspired both naturally and supernaturally to achieve it.
- What has He given me to achieve it?
He gives you, above all, His Spirit. "For you did not receive a spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, "Abba, Father." The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children." (Romans, Chapter 8, verses 15-16*) This is God’s Spirit that restores us and makes us one with Jesus Christ, with His sufferings, but also with His resurrection. Thus, Christ actually lives in us. This is why it is said that we are "more than conquerors"—not by ourselves, our strength or skills, but through God’s Spirit that will fulfill His purposes and intentions through our bodies and souls.
God also gives you opportunities. He gives us time and specific situations where we need to make a decision, intervene, say a word, smile, propose a plan, advocate for someone or something, show love and forgiveness. All these are given opportunities for which God has already provided strength and skill within you yourself to face and respond to them correctly and creatively. The Lord never, ever creates anything unnecessary—neither people nor circumstances.
Challenge for the week: Create, dear friend! Sow good seeds this week. Here are some ideas that come to mind, but we believe that God's word and His quiet voice can reveal much more personal opportunities for you to "sow" in order to reap.
You can call a friend and listen to them, help an elderly neighbor or acquaintance with physical work or resources, share a verse from the Bible on your profile on a social network. If you have a yard or garden, you can weed it. Do you play music, paint, sing, write? Give yourself time for creativity. Just act. Don’t let your mind wander by looking at the clouds. Give your body, soul, and mind opportunities to create. You may not see the fruit immediately, but trust in the Promiser. You will reap.
*The biblical quotes are according to the text of the Bible, new translation from original languages © Bulgarian Bible Society 2013.
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