Back to the Garden: A 10-Day DevotionalSample

Plant With Care

I want to first begin by saying that in this scripture, Solomon is not saying that the farmer should not consider the weather or season at all, but instead the farmer should not be so analytical that he misses out on the opportunity to plant and reap a harvest.

In life, circumstances tend to come up and if we are always waiting on the most favorable time to plant, we can be like the farmer who lets an entire season go by without sowing anything. The reality is that the "perfect" time may never come and sometimes when we are called to plant it may be during the most undesirable times.

Waiting for perfect conditions can cause us to become stagnant in the things God is calling us into. This can seep into our spiritual growth as well, waiting on the “perfect” time to pray or the “perfect” time to read God’s word will cause us to never pray and never read.

To be upfront and real with you, it is during the imperfect moments in our lives when we need to act in faith and plant the most. Looking for the perfect church and ministry will lead you to never join or serve the way God intends for you to.

I also want to make it clear that Solomon isn’t encouraging the reader to go through life recklessly, but rather to listen to God’s signal to plant and harvest without allowing the circumstances of life or your doubt to get in the way.

The reality of being overly analytical of what God tells us to do can result in us being disobedient. The delay in doing something God called you to do is just as bad as not doing anything at all.

If the farmer got so caught up with how windy it was and never planted anything in fear of the wind blowing all the seeds away, he wouldn't have taken time to consider how many seeds remained. If the farmer got so caught up in waiting for the perfect day to reap the most of his harvest, a terrible storm could've come and wiped out the majority of his crops leaving him with less than he would have if he harvested the day he was supposed to.

Don't miss out on opportunities because you are so focused on observing your circumstances instead of trusting God who holds the entire world in His hands. When we live our lives trusting God and putting our faith in Him, we don’t have to be overly analytical, but we can take those leaps of faith and plant with care.

Reflect

• What "perfect" conditions are you waiting on to plant?
• What are some things you are delayed in doing that God called you to do?
• What are some steps you can take to begin working and finishing those things?