Week Five
Day 23: Monday, March 20, 2023
Rev. Sela Finau
Planters
Scripture: I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth. So neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God who gives the growth. The one who plants and the one who waters have one purpose, and each will receive wages according to their own labor. For we are God’s coworkers, working together; you are God’s field, God’s building. According to the grace of God given to me, like a wise master builder I laid a foundation, and someone else is building on it. Let each builder choose with care how to build on it. (1 Corinthians 3:6-10 NRSV)
Devotion: As we journey through the season of Lent, it’s important to remember that our role in the church is not to force growth but to plant seeds. In 1 Corinthians 3:6-10, Paul writes about this very idea: “I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth. So neither he who plants nor waters is anything, but only God who gives the growth.”
Like Paul, we are called to plant seeds and water them, but we are not the ones who ultimately control their growth. This can be difficult for us, especially in a culture that values immediate results and success. But as we reflect on our personal stories, we can see that the seeds planted in our lives took time to grow and bear fruit.
For me, it was never my plan to go into ministry. However, God’s calling led me to seminary and eventually into ministry. Looking back, I can see how the seeds of faith were planted in my family, as generations before me served in various roles in the church. Their faithfulness and commitment to the gospel laid the foundation for my journey.
Similarly, we can be faithful planters of seeds in others’ lives, even if we don’t get to see the results. It takes time for roots to grow and bear fruit. During this Lenten season, may we focus on faithfully planting seeds and nurturing them, knowing that God is the one who gives the growth. And may we trust in God’s timing and plan, as we continue to journey in faith and serve in our various roles in the church.
Prayer: Creator God, Thank you for the seeds planted by others in our lives. Thank you for making it grow. Amen
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