Today I saw this verse on a friend's facebook wall: (Thanks Greg)
"He who watches the wind will not sow, and he who looks at the clouds will not reap." Eccl. 11:4
I had one of those stomach dropping through the floor experiences as I read it. You know the one you feel when you know God is speaking directly to you...
It made me wonder if others may be watching the clouds with me, and missing out on a harvest. This time of year, it's easy to go into "hunker down" mode and just coast into the new year. It's tempting to try to judge which way to wind blows with the latest political climate, flavor of the week fad diet, or pop culture phenomenon. But in doing so we may miss out on that nudge from the Spirit saying start now...dive in...take a risk in faith...put yourself out there. Why wait? Don't just try to hold on. Be bold and step out of the comfort zone and stop testing the wind. Get out there and move on from your planning and your research. Start implementing your action steps to achievement. Apply this spiritually, socially, physically, and mentally. It's the best way to get unstuck. There is no reason to wait until January 1st to make changes!
You can't reap if you don't sow. If a farmer was too timid to plant, worrying about what the future might hold for his little crop, he would be safe. He would be risk free. He wouldn't have to face the "I told you so" committee if the worst happened. But he would also never have a lapfull of bounty.
I'm thinking of some ways we stay stuck with our seeds in our pockets, gazing at the sky...
*Waiting until after the holidays to get serious about health. Why not start right now? You can take the big day off but what it so magical about the New Year. Get a running start with diet and exercise!
*Staying stuck in a job you hate for fear of failure. At least start researching and making plans for a safe and responsible transition. Life is too short to waste your life outside your calling!
*Squelching your own creative impulses, afraid others won't appreciate it. Start that blog. Sign up for that class. Let your juices flow!
*Putting up with addictions or bad habits because you tried before and failed. Be ruthless with your flesh and stop making excuses for your actions.
*Tolerating your own spiritual laziness and waiting for some book, sermon, or epiphany to inspire you. Get out your Bible and use it! Get out of bed and get to church!
*Being lonely because you won't be bold enough to reach out for friendship, a date, or a small group. Make that call, send that friend request, walk across the room!
*Stewing in your own clutter or mess. Clean out that closet,garage, or drawer!
*Refusing to forgive. Release it and move on by God's grace.
*Leaving that word unspoken. Who do you need to approach with the gospel? What are you waiting for? Today is the day of salvation!
I can think of a million more...What a shame it would be to die with a bag full of unplanted seeds... Who will answer for the good things you were too passive to accomplish? I'm thinking of several things right now that I've been pushing off, waiting for the convergence of the planets I guess... I don't really know why... I know I'm scared...But I'm jumping anyway! Being out on that limb with God is the right place to be if you want to see something supernatural happen. Otherwise, He has no reason to invest in our own competence. Are you ready for the harvest? Are you sick of living safe but unfulfilled? Then do the work. Be the farmer who sows and puts it all in God's hands watching as the seedlings grow and bear fruit. Mr. farmer is doing work but is utterly dependent on God. But, he's in position for a bountiful result from a bountiful Lord of the harvest.
Here is my prayer for us all as we close out 2012 together, "You crown the year with your bounty and your carts overflow with abundance." Psalm 65:11 No weather watching, just action!
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