Glory 03 - Seeds and Growth

I have spent most every Sunday in this place for the last nine years. Between the two services we hold in here on Sundays, along with weddings, funerals, and other special services, I’ve led well over 1,000 services in this beautiful space. 400-500 sermons? Probably not much of an exaggeration.  That's a lot of seeds planted...

As I read Curtice’s devotion today on “The Practice of Patience” I thought about the seeds that I have been blessed to plant over the last nine years here. While Curtice talks about the literal seeds and watering she does of her balcony garden, I thought of the seeds of the Word that I have helped to plant, those planted in me, and the ways that growth has come about. There are a lot of times that pastors wonder whether what they do and what they share really sinks into peoples’ lives. I am grateful that not only in the last several weeks but throughout my time here I have seen examples of ways that God planted seeds through me and how those seeds have grown.

Reminded me of Paul’s words in 1 Corinthians 3:5-9:

What then is Apollos? What is Paul? Servants through whom you came to believe, as the Lord assigned to each. I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth. So neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God who gives the growth. The one who plants and the one who waters have a common purpose, and each will receive wages according to the labor of each. For we are God’s servants, working together; you are God’s field, God’s building.

Curtice’s prayer at the end of today’s reflection really spoke to me...

O God, Call us into the good work. And when we are unable, push us into the sunlight, and let us see your face. Hydrate our souls with the kind power of your Mystery. There, we will understand. There, we will not be afraid. Because there, the darkness is only a fraud. Amen.