The Plumbline

Those who plant in tears will harvest with shouts of joy. They weep as they go to plant their seed, but they sing as they return with the harvest. (Psalm 126:5-6) Planting isn't always 'productive' right away, is it? I know I have planted seeds, watching for some sign that there will be growth imminent from within the soil, waiting for what seems like an eternity. Finally, when growth begins to appear, is the harvest immediate? Nope, you have to watch as that plant puts on more leaves, grows taller and becomes stronger. Soon blossoms will come, but still no harvest. If the conditions are right, those blooms will turn to fruit - either in the form of beautiful flowers or things that will eventually nourish our bodies. In the passage of time, the harvest becomes plentiful. In the meantime, there is a whole lot of faithfulness required to 'tend' that garden. In much the same way, God's seeds aren't going to always produce an immediate harvest - they must be ...