Stuck in a Rut - Pt 3

Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap. For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life. And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. (Galatians 6:7-9 ESV).

I have taught people the Law of the Harvest for years. The Apostle Paul makes it very clear in our reading today. My paraphrase has always been simpler for me to remember: You get what you get because you go where you go; if you don’t like what you’re getting, don’t go where you’re going.” The simple truth is that you will reap what you sow. In our little series concerning getting out of our ruts we saw that trusting God for our future was the first essential. Today we see that planning is the second essential. How many times do you suppose a farmer goes out in the fall thinking to himself, "I wonder what we are going to harvest this year?" Does he go out into the field and say, "Well look at that its corn!" Or, "A whole field of watermelons! Who would have guessed it?" No, I don't think that happens, because there is a law in the universe that is as reliable as the law of gravity. What a person sows he reaps. We understand that with trees, and we understand it with crops. But it is interesting how hard that is to understand in life. I can't tell you how many people I have talked with who don't understand why things are happening to them. They say, "Why is this happening in my marriage? Why is this happening in my family? Why is this happening in my finances?" Everything is falling apart for them, and it just doesn't dawn on them that they reap what they sow. For years this is what they have been sowing. So why does it surprise them when that is what they reap? As a matter of fact, often in those times people get angry with God. They want to know, "Where is God, and why does it have to be this way?" As if it is all God's fault, when God has said what you sow is what you are going to reap. The answer is in good planning. Perhaps the most important part of this planning is being intentional. Of course your goals should be specific, measurable, attainable, relevant, and timely. We’ve all heard this acronym (SMART) through the years; however, the most important part of any planning is seeking the wisdom of God. This is done through Scripture, prayer, and the wise coaching of other mature believers. Find a mentor that you can depend on to help you find your seed to plant. Then, you have every right to expect a great harvest in its time. Remember though, to harvest, you must plant. That will take us to our third essential. Tomorrow we will see it is essential to execute.