I live in Indiana.
You cannot drive far from where I live without being reminded—in living color—what stage of the growing season we’re in.
One day, the landscape is nothing but an endless canvas of blank, brown earth. Then, almost overnight—as if by a miracle—those same fields are transformed with neatly striped patterns of tiny green shoots. Each sprout seems to whisper its own little “Hallelujah!” as its first leaves push through the soil toward the sun—up to 35,000 hallelujahs per acre! Before long, meandering open roads become narrow tunnels bordered by sky-high walls of green cornstalks.
It’s not a miracle, actually, since every seed is planted intentionally. Yet every one IS a miracle of life. Each plant is exactly the same, yet individually unique to the Creator. Each has its own tiny address in the universe—each one possesses its own unique identity, characteristics, productivity, and life span—ALL intimately known by God. Selah.
I know next to nothing about farming, but I know that it is more than a job—it’s a science. What’s more, it’s the art of a science. Agriculture is the science taught in schools and universities, but the art of farming is learned in the field—year by year, season by season, acre by acre, seed by seed.
But it’s more than science, and more than art—it’s faith, too. Farmers live by faith. Not just imagination or wishful thinking—not even hope, as much as real faith.
They have faith in the wonder-working power of God and the laws of sowing and reaping that He established at Creation. They also have reasonable faith in the seeds—that each seed knows its God-given purpose—and that the seed will be obedient to that purpose. By experience, farmers have also come to believe that if they add works to their faith—by intentionally doing the work of planting the seed in a timely manner—with God’s help, a crop WILL result.
The farmer has a responsibility to every single seed—to help it reach its destiny and full potential. It’s a three-way cooperative effort, though: the seed cannot do it alone—it needs the farmer. The farmer cannot create life—he needs God. The farmer cannot produce a harvest by himself—he needs the seed. Weather is a factor, too. The farmer relies on good weather to provide its life-sustaining resources in a balanced way—but bad weather can destroy even the most carefully cultivated field.
However, nothing guarantees a total crop failure like failing to plant it in the first place.
It’s coming on high summer here in Indiana, and the corn is already tasseling. Agriculturally, the summer planting season for this year is pretty much over. And yet, spiritually, if we are growing in faith, the cycle never ends—and it’s ALWAYS planting time.
Sowing and developing virtue is the lifelong practice of cultivating the good fruit of the Spirit through daily, intentional actions—faith plus work. Much like farming, it requires initiative, planning, perseverance, and patience. It’s work to continually nurture the “soil” of our hearts and minds to produce a positive outcome for ourselves and others.
But it’s work that is worth it. For, just like in the field, the potential yield of every “seed” planted is exponentially more than the initial investment. “You have not because you PLANT not.” Agriculturally and spiritually, the law of the harvest is the same—“for whatsoever a man sows, that shall he also reap” … and usually much, much more.
So, what “seeds” are you planting this season?
Naturally, the farmer’s choice of seed determines the crop he will harvest. Therefore, a better question perhaps is: What kind of crop do you want?
Continual planting ensures a perpetual yield for whatever virtue you wish to cultivate—so, it’s always planting time.
So, WHAT are we planting?
- Kindness — “Be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.” (Ephesians 4:32 KJV)
- Generosity — “Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure … for with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.” (Luke 6:38 NIV)
- Patience — “Be patient … see how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, being patient about it, until it receives the early and the late rains. You also, be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand.“ (James 5:7-8 ESV)
- Gratitude — “In every situation [no matter what the circumstances] be thankful and continually give thanks to God; for this is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus.” (1 Thessalonians 5:18 AMP)
- Integrity — “Give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all.” (Romans 12:17 ESV)
- And so many more … Courage, Honesty, Joy, Goodness, Self-Control … possibilities UNLIMITED.
This summer, I decided I wanted to be a farmer. But I knew I had to start small. So, with help (thank you, Brooke and Bro Garber), I purchased a raised garden bed, filled it with soil, and planted just a couple tomato, pepper, and cucumber plants. It’s all I can do—but I’m determined to do what I can.
We can cultivate spiritual fruit the same way:
- Start small. Determine what virtue you need the most, (e.g., kindness), and focus on cultivating that one fruit every day for a week.
- Be intentional. Be on the lookout throughout your day for opportunities to demonstrate the virtue you are hoping to cultivate. Be ready to act on it, even in small ways—e.g., start being “kinder” as if you already are a kind person.
- Be real. We’re not talking about mere virtue-signaling. A true farmer would never deceive passersby with billboard images of a beautiful green field. It’s not about the show—it’s about the harvest. “By their fruit ye shall know them.” (Matthew 7:20 KJV)
- Document growth. Take a few moments at the end of the day to recall, evaluate, and journal your progress. Every small step counts.
- Develop habits. The goal is to develop each virtue into a consistent habit. Not just a temporary project, but with the LORD’s help, becoming part of the permanent landscape of WHO you ARE. Genuine VIRTUES make us stronger. So much so that when the storms of life threaten—and they will—you won’t be destroyed IN it, but rather you will become stronger THROUGH it.
It’s ALWAYS planting time.
“Now may He who supplies seed to the sower, and bread for food, supply and multiply the seed you have sown and increase the fruits of your righteousness.” (2 Corinthians 9:10 NKJ)
