EMERGE! ‘Bloom Where You Are Planted’
A Season to Plant: the Good Farmer
March 28th, 2022
2 Corinthians 9:8-11, ‘Yes, God is more than ready to overwhelm you with every form of grace, so that you will have more than enough of everything —every moment and in every way. He will make you overflow with abundance in every good thing you do. Just as the Scriptures say about the one who trusts in Him: Because He has sown extravagantly and given to the poor, His kindness and generous deeds will never be forgotten. This generous God who supplies abundant seed for the farmer, which becomes bread for our meals, is even more extravagant toward you. First, He supplies every need, plus more. Then He multiplies the seed as you sow it, so that the harvest of your generosity will grow. You will be abundantly enriched in every way as you give generously on every occasion, for when we take your gifts to those in need, it causes many to give thanks to God.’ (TPT)
Every piece of abundance you and I hold in our hands is there because our Good Father, a Holy God, planted a seed in you and me that when sprouted, we could later behold the goodness in our palms. The blessings and favor, opportunities and offerings weren’t happenstance or something surprising that fell out of the sky into your life or mine; they were earmarked gifts from a Good God for our benefit, and for others, and, yes, for His glory.
What He sows in each of us has a return reaped in rewards for someone’s growth and good will…that is His desire and purpose for His children—what He plants in each of us would be buried in good and fertile soil, so that when the time is right and it has been cared for and nurtured, it can spring forth and bear good fruit.
Think about it this way. Perhaps not every farmer, but most, do not plant just for their own benefit. They cultivate crops to be used by others. They harvest and have a storehouse so when the need comes, they are ready and able to meet it. And it is profitable not only for the people whose needs are met, but also for the farmer who tended to the provision. In the same way, the Good Farmer, the Master Gardner, prepares the soil and plants within each of us, seeds which when they are fully grown, will yield a storehouse bearing much fruit.
2 Corinthians 9:12-15, ‘Carrying out this social relief work involves far more than helping meet the bare needs of poor Christians. It also produces abundant and bountiful thanksgivings to God. This relief offering is a prod to live at your very best, showing your gratitude to God by being openly obedient to the plain meaning of the Message of Christ. You show your gratitude through your generous offerings to your needy brothers and sisters, and really toward everyone. Meanwhile, moved by the extravagance of God in your lives, they’ll respond by praying for you in passionate intercession for whatever you need. Thank God for this gift, His gift. No language can praise it enough!’ (MSG)
One of the greatest things you and I can ever do is BLOOM where we are PLANTED. Beautiful things grow from the fertile soil of a willing heart.
