You will always harvest what you plant. Those who live only to satisfy their own sinful nature will harvest decay and death from that sinful nature. But those who live to please the Spirit will harvest everlasting life from the Spirit. ~Galatians 6:7-8
When I think about the phrase, “satisfy their own sinful nature,” I hear in my head the words “excess,” “extreme,” and “addiction.” Left to my own devices, I’m a very unsuccessful farmer. I know well how to sow seeds that will bring a harvest of decay. Of course, I’m speaking of my propensity for living in excess – excess food, excess spending, excess time reading, excess opinion sharing, excess analysis… If a little of something is good, a lot of something must surely be better, right? Insert the sound of the “wrong answer buzzer” here. 
The opportunity to live in excess is all around us. In fact, I think we would be hard pressed to take a snapshot of American life without capturing one sort of addiction or another, some of which just happen to be socially acceptable. I know my extremes and excesses quite well, but I also know that every single time I engage in one, or even think about doing so, I can feel and hear the Spirit within me prompting me to stop, to slow down, or to focus my energies on something else. It’s as if I have the Master Farmer in my head, teaching me and guiding me on how to plant, grow, and harvest my crops. The question is whether or not I’m willing to be a good apprentice to the Master Farmer.
I want to sow the right seeds in my life. I want to walk on my treadmill several days a week and put properly portioned food in my belly rather than junk. I want to pace myself in my studies, neither overdoing it nor procrastinating over it. I want to embrace acceptance and forgiveness regarding the people in my life, rather than harboring anger or resentment. For all these wants, the healthy seeds can and will be sown if I listen to and obey the Master Farmer.
He is always there and He is always willing to guide. The still, small voice that we hear and feel is the Spirit of God, cheering us on, urging us forward, and holding us up. When we lean on Him, the harvest will be plentiful.. When we follow His lead, the work of our hands will be joyful. What will you be planting in 2010?
Thank You, Lord, for always showing me the difference between healthy and unhealthy seeds. Your still, small voice is consistently there for me, urging me to follow You. I pray that You would work a change in me, making me less of a stubborn mule and more of a willing and able apprentice. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.
