As I was preparing the winter care-packages and trying to figure out what to include this year, I felt the Lord put this verse on my heart.
I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God has been making it grow. 7 So neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow.
– 1 Corinthians 3:6-7 (NIV)
As I kept repeating verse 6 to myself I felt like God wanted me to highlight the sowers and waterers of these care packages.
Chris & Jenny have been faithfully watering this seed by supplying us with the bags to make care-packages. People like Ryan & Jerry have helped with the gathering of supplies before I was even involved.
These care-packages are the fruit. They are the fruit of a seed that was planted in the heart of Josh Wee, who sowed it into this Church and over the course of several years, many have come and watered it.
Let me put it this way: Josh planted the seed, Chris, Jenny, Jerry and myself have watered it but God has been making it grow.
As far as my records show, we have gone from 5 items to 9 items. It’s God that has been making it grow.
We have fruit of a seed that was sown and watered by the people of Lifespring and grown by God. But what I realized was that this fruit also has seeds of its own. I know not all fruits have seeds, but this one does.
As these care-packages are assembled, they are simultaneously the fruit of a seed that was sown and watered by the people of Lifespring and a seed that we get to plant in the lives of the people who receive them.
God may even send others to come and water what you have planted. But at the end of the day, we can put our trust in the Lord because He is the one who will make things grow.
With every care-package we give to the homeless and those who are in need, we are planting a seed of hope in their lives. We are intentionally meeting the basic needs of our fellow brothers and sisters. We are training our eyes to see people who are in need and softening our hearts to have compassion for our brothers and sisters.
Father, I pray that you would help us to be faithful sowers and waterers of your seeds. I pray that we would continue to be obedient to the things that you are asking us to do. May we put our trust in you, knowing that you make all things grow. We also ask that you would open our eyes once again to see your people and our hearts to have compassion for our brothers and sisters. Empower us with your Holy Spirit and lead us in your ways.
In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen!