Reap What You Sow

Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life.

(Galatians 6:7-8)

As a young child, I believed in God. I went to church every Sunday with my grandparents. As I approached my teenage years I began to rebel against God. I believed the lie that there was no God. It never occurred to me, therefore, when I sinned I was actually mocking God. Not in the sense that I was sticking my tongue out at God, but I was saying by my actions that I thought there was no consequence for my behavior. I thought I could do just about anything, as long as it wasn’t against the law, and I had nothing to worry about.

I lived from day to day without any real direction. I followed whatever whim that came my way. It was like I was in a rudderless boat, floating along and going wherever the current took me. I loved and took care of my family and myself, but I didn’t really care about anyone else. I thought life was all about having a good time, usually by partying with friends, and seeking out as much pleasure as I could find. The partying always seemed fun, until the morning hangover arrived.

At some point, all that time I spent on having a good time caught up to me. My life was suddenly in the garbage can. I didn’t know what to do but a good friend invited me to a revival meeting. I didn’t want to go but I thought I would do my friend a favor and go. As I sat there, it was like the preacher was speaking directly to me. Every point he made about sowing to the flesh, fit my life perfectly. I sat there trying to come up with reasons he wasn’t talking about my life. When that failed, I tried to stop listening altogether. I failed at that too.

I know now the low point in my life was just God trying to get me to stop and see how badly I needed him. It wasn’t the preacher who was speaking directly to me that evening…it was the Holy Spirit. Now I know I was on the path to destruction. I know how much God loves me and what he was willing to do to save me. I am back in the fold and now I always try to sow to please the Spirit!

Heavenly Father, you are so far above us, we cannot comprehend. Perhaps by not being able to contemplate how great and good you are, and that’s why we are so flippant in our rebellion against your will for our lives. We think we’re so smart when we declare you do not exist. We are emboldened to think we can do whatever we want. If we’re not going to face punishment, we may as well go for it. Unfortunately, when we’re on the merry-go-round of life and we’re reaching for that ring of happiness, it’s all a lie. You have shown us there is no real happiness outside of a relationship with Jesus. Thank you, Lord, for stopping that merry-go-round and showing us a better way to live. We are grateful that our sins have been paid for when we repented and were washed in baptism. Thank you, for the blessed hope for the resurrection to eternal life. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen!