We Reap What We Sow

Once upon a time, most people grew their own food or grew cash crops that they traded for other crops they needed. David watched over his flock as a boy and Ruth harvested grain from Boaz’ fields.

Some people had olive trees, and in that part of the world, they often still do.

In the Old Testament, there is not just a link between the fruits of the harvest, but also the spiritual fruits that are aquired.

Sow righteousness for yourselves, reap the fruit of unfailing love, and break up your unplowed ground; for it is time to seek the LORD, until he comes and showers his righteousness on you : Hosea 10:12

Yet is it really this simple?

The reality is that there are times when we are so open to the Holy Spirit that we invite additional blessings into our lives and at other times we are so filled with bitterness and anger that we drive blessings away.

Because we are human beings. We are complex. And we can create hard ground under our own feet, ground that will not yield but will continue to cause us pain.

This despite the numerous promises of blessing from our Father, such as:

The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; the LORD turn his face toward you and give you peace : Numbers 6:24–26

Surely goodness and mercy shall pursue me all the days of my life : Psalm 23:6

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ : Ephesians 1:3

What are we being offered by God?

Are we being offered material wealth? Or something more meaningful, something deeper, something that actually provides what we need?

When we open ourselves to the love of God and to His Spirit, He is allowed to do His good work within us and suddenly we find ourselves more at peace. Our work becomes more effective and our hearts become more glad.

But we have to be willing to open ourselves to this. If we wish to remain bitter — He will allow us to shut the gates and create our own prisons. We are allowed that choice.

Many times I have seen this drama play out.

Someone goes through a hard breakup and then never loves again. Or a rift is created in a family and is never healed. Or faces are turned deliberately from God’s grace and mercy.

When you sow righteousness — you deliberately do the work of breaking the clots that prevent your soil from allowing good seeds to be planted, to be watered, and to grow.

Some people passively wait for blessings, others actively resist. But what if you actively invited? What if you spent time in meditation and prayer, asking God to show you where you need to be more open? What if you asked Him to bless someone that you felt anger towards, what if you opened your heart to that person and asked for them to be healed?

Think of how your world might change.

Maybe it’s worth a try.

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This post was previously published on Shefali O’Hara’s blog.

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