God Brings The Increase
Daily Rays of Hope #166
Scripture For Today
7 So neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow. - 1 Corinthians 3:7 NIV
God created us with the desire to grow and to see the things around us grow. That's why people love gardens. This is why people love guiding others. This is how leaders are born. They desire to assist others in their development process. It is all connected to the God-seeded desires to see things grow.
The issue comes in when we attempt to control the growth path of someone else. When we forcefully desire for them to see something that we see. We desire for them to recognize what we recognize. We want the best for them, even if they may not be prepared already for what that “best” may look like.
The moment that you understand and receive in your heart that you may sow the seeds, but it is God who brings the increase, your heart will be free of the longings that are beyond your control. It is God who brings the increase. It is God who controls the yield. It is God who controls the magnitude of the harvest.
You can nurture and support the growth of the living things in your life. The flowers in your garden, the fruit on your vine, and the people in your life. You can nurture these things in faith, knowing that God brings the increase. Letting go of the outcome and simply guiding the growth process through your planting and your watering will certainly help.
You don't want to stop nurturing, and you don't want to become disenchanted with the cultivating process. Simply bear in mind and remember in your heart that your nurturing, your planting, and your sowing all matter. Simply release the outcome and watch God bring the increase.
Three Practical Ways To Walk Out This Word Daily
1. Acknowledge God as the Source
Begin each day by verbally thanking God for being the one who causes growth in every area of your life. Whether it is in your spiritual walk, your relationships, or your work, speak out loud that He is the one who brings increase.
2. Serve Faithfully Without Seeking Credit
Do your part in planting seeds or watering through acts of service, encouragement, or sharing the Word, but release the need for recognition. Focus on obedience rather than results, knowing that God is responsible for the harvest.
3. Pray Over the Seeds You Plant
When you invest in others or work toward a goal, pray specifically for God to bring growth and transformation. Trust that His timing and methods are perfect, even when you do not immediately see results.
Closing Encouragement:
Walk in the freedom of knowing that the pressure to produce results is not yours to carry. You are called to plant and water faithfully, and God will bring the growth in His perfect way and timing.