The Power of Planting a Seed

Sometimes we get discouraged while praying for the lost. We faithfully pray for that lost child or spouse and we aren’t seeing any change. Occasionally, we may even feel like giving up or “giving it to God” and stop praying about it. I think the real definition of giving it to God is- stop worrying about it but keep on praying about it!

Philippians 4:6 Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need and thank him for all he has done.

Let me tell you my story.

A Seed was Planted

Back in middle school, I met a new friend who invited me to her church. It was a Pentecostal church which I had heard of before because my grandmother was Pentecostal. I had been raised Baptist and to say that Pentecost was a shock to me would be an understatement!

I had so many questions… What are they saying? Why are they dancing? Why is everyone shouting during the preaching? Why are they all praying out loud?

My friend was so gracious to answer all my questions as best as a 13-year-old could, and I went back for the next service, and the next. I was hooked!

Losing My Religion

When I was 17, I met a boy who didn’t like our exuberant worship and refused to go with me. Slowly, I stopped going all together. It wasn’t until a series of events unfolded over the next 14 years that I would find my way back… 1600 miles away in Washington.

After the birth of my third child, and with the boy- now father of my two oldest kids- out of the picture, I decided to go back to my Pentecostal roots. So, I did what anyone would do when looking for a new church- I looked in the phone book. I kid you not, it was the only Pentecostal church in my area!

Finally Home

I went on a Sunday morning during their anniversary service. Y’all… it was like I stepped back in time to 1996 and was in my home church! I knew in that moment that I had found my new home, and I’ve been going every time the doors are open ever since.

God Gives the Increase

If my friend had not invited me to church at 13, who knows where I would be now. But the real point I would like to make is: even though I came to church at 13, I didn’t fully give my life to Christ until 19 years later!

Just because your friend or loved one backslides- or even refuses to come to church- never underestimate the power of a planted seed. Something (trauma, heartbreak, failing health, birth of a child, loss of a loved one…) or someone else may water it 10, 20, 30 years later.

So, let us not grow weary in well doing, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up (Galatians 6:9). Above all else, may we always remember-

1 Corinthians 3:6-7 I planted the seed in your hearts, and Apollos watered it, but it was God who made it grow. It’s not important who does the planting, or who does the watering. What’s important is that God makes the seed grow