“For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them” Eph. 2:10
These individual white cotton puffs, each carrying a seed, floated through the air as I took a walk the other day. It literally looked like falling snowflakes. Quite beautiful and mesmerizing. I scooped a handful off the sidewalk as they gathered as a blanket of snow. I noticed how each puff was an individual, yet they also gathered in large numbers together, and were traveling this way and that way- high, low, whichever direction the wind carried them. This is what the Lord wants for His people whose sins are washed whiter than snow! He wants us to travel and spread the seeds of His Word. Whether we are solo, or together with a number of others, we are to travel this land together, spreading the Good News of Salvation.
The cotton wood tree sheds these puffs with seeds this time of year. Not all these seeds will plant. In fact, the majority will land, dry up, and be devoured. It takes very specific conditions for a seed to take root and grow. A seed must land in a place with moist, soft soil, along with proper light. If these specifications are in check, then it must also survive any potential creatures passing by, without being trampled or devoured.
Jesus Christ also spoke in a parable regarding Spiritual seeds sown in various terrain, and the genuine seed that takes root and grows strong into everlasting life!
When these right conditions for the cotton wood tree are all fulfilled, a seed is planted, takes root, with the result of a strong, growing, thriving tree.
So many seeds! Which ones will take root? Which will grow? God only knows.
This is what I pondered as I walked on.
You see, God has been growing and advancing me in the area of spreading the Good News of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Sowing the Word of God, in new ways and places. It’s so exciting!
This particular day, I felt pretty physically run down, but was grateful for some energy to go for a walk. How can I use what I am given each day, for God’s Glory and purposes? God had lifted me up out of a pit of some physical pain, I was grateful. He had given me energy, feet to walk, and I had in my hand about ten gospel tracts.
I have never walked solo to hand out the gospel door to door. I wondered which way to go. I wondered what seeds might take root. Would the person at the place the gospel message landed, receive it? Read it? Throw it away? Who knew? Only the Lord.
What I do know is each genuine Believer has experienced the life changing gospel message:
“Come now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.” Isaiah 1:18
God’s intended purpose for each believer, apart of the church, is to transform us daily by the Watering of the Word of God. Growing in grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
“That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, that he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.” Eph. 5:26-27
Not only is God’s intended purpose to save us by way of the “implanted word, which is able to save your souls” (James 1:21), but also to work in us and through us together with fellow saints in Christ our Lord. “For we are laborers together with God” 1 Cor. 3:9
Our sins are washed white. We travel this earth in Him. In Him, we live, and move.
Like those white puffs moving about, so are Christians. Some days, we are solo. Some days we are together with other saints. Will we sow the seeds of Faith in Jesus Christ the God of our Salvation?
Do we consider and take to heart, that we carry the very seed of Faith, Jesus Christ in us? We have a seed so valuable to share! Do we consider the very Word of God we carry in our hearts or hand (gospel tracts or Bible) as the very seed that desperate lost sinners like we once were, need? That we are called to obey in faith, and sow? Do we pray for the Lord to prepare and soften the soil, that God might then reach that sinner’s heart, who is ready to receive?
“I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase. So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase.” 1 Cor. 3:6-8
As the cotton puffs travel some will stick. As we obediently obey the Lord, in Him we move, we sow the Word, we do not know what will take root or not, or what will happen with that seed. God knows.
I began to pray as I walked for God to prepare the soil of people’s hearts who would see the gospel message I left at each door. What will become of this? The full scope may not be known until we meet Jesus.
This is so powerful. What God says about His power and power of His Word:
“For as the heavens are higher than the earth,
So are My ways higher than your ways,
And My thoughts than your thoughts.
For as the rain comes down, and the snow from heaven,
And do not return there,
But water the earth,
And make it bring forth and bud,
That it may give seed to the sower
And bread to the eater,
So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth;
It shall not return to Me void,
But it shall accomplish what I please,
And it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it.”
Isaiah 55:9-11
God WILL ACCOMPLISH! He will accomplish His purposes far beyond what any of us can even imagine.
Even the very fact, a believer is choosing to obey, and trust Him, He will build greater faith in us. And do a work far beyond!
The days are getting darker. God is preparing the soil of hearts to receive. Jesus Christ is the Light upon this land.
He is the Truth and Light that others desperately need. He does not want anyone to perish.
Jesus is coming. And believe me, I am very eager for His return! However, I am grateful for His continued growth in me,
the charge to not be timid, and spread this vital message of hope of Salvation.
All for love.
I boast in the magnificent love of Christ Jesus my Lord and share,
because as John Newton said:
“I AM A GREAT SINNER, CHRIST IS A GREAT SAVIOR”
He sets me free!
I have been greatly ENCOURAGED to be COURAGEOUS and trust and obey.
For His glory. Amen.