Sow your seed in the morning, and at evening let your hands not be idle, for you do not know which will succeed, whether this or that, or whether both will do equally well.
~Ecclesiastes 11:6~
Joel touched on how often when we are in need we tend to think of our needs primarily. He shared the wisdom that when we are in our lowest moments, be it financially, be it illness, be it the loss of a loved one, depression, etc.. that instead of allowing ourselves to stay mired in the waters of self absorption and pity, instead we should focus on being a blessing in others lives. That by "sowing seeds in time of need" we not only directly bless a life but we also bless ourselves.
The principle of this message is so true and is founded on grace. How often do we, when we are struggling, cry out often to God for relief and answers? How often do we share with our devoted friends and family our woes and problems seeking their advice and after a while it just feels like a broken record?
Firstly God already knows what we are in need of before we ask (Matthew 6:8 please click scripture to read verse)plus God is so intimately acquainted with us (Psalms 139 please click to read chapter) that He already is miles ahead of us in responding as we utter the petition. Plus how long does it take before well meaning friends grow weary of listening? Why not be a solution?
When we sow seeds of grace in others lives even when we too are struggling, we actually lessen our own load spiritually. We also open doors for those blessings to be returned back. Plus we greatly enrich others lives by being a direct answer to a prayer.
A great case in point is an illustration Joel used of a cancer patient who was always seeking prayer for other cancer patients. As a result of his faith and the desire to see others healed and whole, his own illness which was just as serious, began to lessen. After some time, there was no sign of cancer in him. He was so focused on seeing others blessed that he didn't spend time feeling sorry for himself. Or wallowing in his illness thereby feeding it. His desire for others to be healed miraculously healed him of a deadly disease.
I saw this as an answer to my own prayers. So I got to thinking of ways that I too could sow seeds of grace. After thinking, I realized that God had provided me with a slew of them. From where I work to various people in my life who too are having struggles. I realized that all this past long while, that God had already provided an answer. It may not make us all over-night millionaires or even over-night return what we have lost back, but it works.
In closing, I can't help but think of an analogy I once heard of an American soldier in Italy during World War II. As he was walking through the mountains, he came upon a statue of Jesus. It was partly hidden behind some tall weeds. As he approached the statue, he noticed that the hands of Jesus were broken off and nowhere to be found. As he sat meditating on the hand-less statue, an inspiration came to him which he wrote on a piece of paper and placed it under a rock at the base of the statue. He gave the statue a 6-word name – "I have no hands but yours."
When we sow seeds of grace we become the hands of Jesus and directly impact a life with our own. I am grateful for Joel's message and hope that it too will impact just as many lives as it has mine.
Below I would like to share this beautiful video message. Please take a moment to listen.
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