The seeds we plant.
- Dawn
- Jun 18, 2024
- 5 min read
Being a Christian and the decision to live your life through a Jesus lens looks a little different for everyone, because even though we are created in the image of God, we as individual personalities are as unique as snowflakes, no two the same.
So there’s that. And also…
Jesus intends for his people to be marked out as a visible, public group, which means joining together in local churches. Jesus established the church to be a public, earthly institution that would mark out, affirm, and oversee those who profess to believe in him. (Matt. 16:18-19, 18:15-20)
Churches have struggled, especially in recent years. Have many churches gotten it all wrong and caused more harm than good. Unfortunately, yes. I myself have struggled with being an active part of a church body at times. Maybe you have too. But here’s the thing...
Churches are full of sinners. Period.
Christians are human beings…shocking I know. We say things we shouldn’t that hurt others. We fail God daily. We have a story and a past that we may not be proud of. We ask questions and have doubts and wonder if it’s all true. We struggle with mental health. We struggle with addiction. We struggle with loving others and treating everyone with the kindness and respect they deserve. We struggle to forgive. Believe me…the list goes on and on.
But, we also love God and want to follow Jesus and that makes all the difference. We walk through those doors carrying so much. We may think no one gets us, if anyone knew the real me, they would run me right out of here. Know this, when you can say to God, “I am a sinner, but I want to follow You and try everyday to honor You with all I do. I fail at that most days, but I know You love me and Your mercy is new everyday for me. What a gift. Help me God to get back up and try again and keep going.” That’s all one has to do. It may be a little awkward or feel scary at first. I won’t say that it will be the easiest decision you make, but I can also say it’s so worth it.
Being a part of a local church is vital to being a Christian. We go to church on Sunday to worship, and thank God for life and breath and His goodness and His love and forgiveness for us. But we also become part of a family that has a common thread. There’s a peace in knowing that you are woven into the fabric of a community of other sinners that want to do life better, to grow and to learn and experience the peace that only comes from being in relationship with Jesus. It can be such a beautiful thing.
I have been fortunate to be a part of a thriving church body for most of my adult life. Has it been perfect? Absolutely not. But that’s the reality of it. You may not like everyone there, you will probably experience hurt or disappointment at some point. You may have seasons where you fall away and come back. That happens in a family.
But, there are also mountain top moments that fill you with so much joy you can’t help but cry. There are relationships you cherish deeply. There’s accountability and support from gathering with a small group. There are opportunities to serve others in a way that is so beautiful.
When you become a part of a local church, you will be challenged at times to step out of your comfort zone, and to share the gifts God has given you so that all the God colors can be brighter in not only the church family you have joined into, but also to the community around you.
1 Corinthians 12:1-11 - The Message
Spiritual Gifts
12 1-3 What I want to talk about now is the various ways God’s Spirit gets worked into our lives. This is complex and often misunderstood, but I want you to be informed and knowledgeable. Remember how you were when you didn’t know God, led from one phony god to another, never knowing what you were doing, just doing it because everybody else did it? It’s different in this life. God wants us to use our intelligence, to seek to understand as well as we can. For instance, by using your heads, you know perfectly well that the Spirit of God would never prompt anyone to say “Jesus be damned!” Nor would anyone be inclined to say “Jesus is Master!” without the insight of the Holy Spirit.
4-11 God’s various gifts are handed out everywhere; but they all originate in God’s Spirit. God’s various ministries are carried out everywhere; but they all originate in God’s Spirit. God’s various expressions of power are in action everywhere; but God himself is behind it all. Each person is given something to do that shows who God is: Everyone gets in on it, everyone benefits. All kinds of things are handed out by the Spirit, and to all kinds of people! The variety is wonderful!
I was walking into our local market the other day, which is located directly across from the church I attend. It was noon, one of the times that our church bells play. They are so beautiful to hear. I spotted an older gentleman in his car. He had the window down and was looking at the church as the bells played ‘Beyond the Sunset’. I of course continued into the store and went about my day, but when I saw him I thought about the seeds the local church can plant. We don’t know who is moved by hearing those bells. I don’t know if it simply brought him joy to listen those few minutes or if it meant more for him. But that’s what we do as the local church. We scatter seeds in all directions, inside the building and out. Or at least we are supposed to because that’s what Jesus calls us to do. We trust that God will grow them in whatever way is needed, but we keep scattering.
We are in VBS week, and I usually do the snacks. Before the kids eat their treat for the evening, I lead them in a prayer, maybe you know it.
“God is great, God is good, let us thank Him for our food, Amen.”
I don’t know all of these kids. I don’t know if they pray every night with their family of if they’ve never prayed before at all. But we plant the seeds. We offer what we’re good at (or sometimes not so good at) and pray that God uses it in whatever way He sees fit.
Scatter seeds. There are times where God will work through you to really help those seeds take root, or to water them and provide them with some sunshine. And there are times you just toss the seed and have no idea where it landed or if it survived. But keep going. Consider a local church. Know that you have a God color in you that is just what is needed to make the fabric even more spectacular. God will weave you in where He needs you, you just have be willing to walk through the doors. Jesus is right there with you, smiling from ear to ear.
~Dawn
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