A mighty oak in the making

 From a small seed a mighty trunk may grow. (Aeschylus)

The seeds of good deeds become a tree of life; a wise person wins friends. (Proverbs 11:30) 

We may not realize the 'value' inherent within a single seed, but when we consider all the lives that may be touched by that which is 'born' of the seed, we might just plant a few more seeds! Whether the seed produces nourishment for our bodies, shelter for our heads, or encouragement for our spirit, seeds are never without a purpose - to reproduce. The seeds of good deeds become a tree of life - how many of those seeds will you plant this year? Gardners and farmers alike will tell us the 'value' inherent within the seed requires more than a casual 'flinging' of the seed. There is much purpose behind the simplest of planting.

We each have been given 'seed' to plant, but sometimes we find the preparation takes longer than the planting. Once planted, we might get a little discouraged by the time it takes to 'germinate'. After we finally see some evidence of growth, we might even become weary awaiting the arrival of the fruit that seed will produce. A mighty oak isn't actually 'mighty' until many, many years into its growth cycle, my friends. If we got weary waiting for its growth, wouldn't it be silly to pluck it up from the ground just because its boughs are not great enough to provide us shade or shelter? We'd nurture it, ensuring it has all that was needed for continued growth. We'd plan for the future of that seed, not only the present 'form' of that seed's growth.

In much the same way, God asks us not to become impatient with the seed growing within us right now. It has been planted, is being nourished, and might even be showing signs of life, but if we allow it to be plucked up by the distractions of this world, we will miss the fruit that it will produce. Seeds are meant to be 'encouraged' to full growth. They must be planted in prepared soil - so don't resist the 'soil tending' of the Holy Spirit within. They must be placed in just the right location - too much heat will rob them of their growth, but just enough will coax the potential within that seed to send shoots to the surface where it can become all that God intends. You never know when the seed planted is the one about to become that mighty oak tree. Just sayin!