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.
Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.
Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.
Galatians 6:7-10
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One of my favorite memories from childhood is working in the garden with my dad. The sun was warm in the South Dakota summer and the hours seemed long late into the evening together.
I’d watch him mark out and plant seeds, pull weeds from the dirt, and water the plants faithfully all summer long. Occasionally, when I felt motivated, I’d jump in and help. It was a lot of effort, but we knew there was a payoff at the end.
Early during the summer, we’d get to pick some vegetables, like peas and radishes, and those were exciting and always some of my favorites to eat. But the real prize came later in the fall—ripe tomatoes, sweet corn, large potatoes, and flavorful onions. All the hard work of tending that garden was worth it in the end.
It is not lost on me that the illustration that the Holy Spirit gives us in Galatians of “not growing weary in doing good” is of a garden
Just like gardening and farming, it can be hard to keep doing good in a world where results are not always immediate. The work can feel endless, and at times, thankless. But Paul reminds us to look ahead. While we may see small fruits of our labor along the way, the greatest harvest is coming at the proper time—when God’s perfect will is fully revealed.
So, what does “doing good” look like in your life? Especially during those times when you might be growing weary? I don’t know what circumstances surround you today that might contribute to that weariness, but continue doing good.
- If standing for integrity has cost you a promotion, continue doing good.
- If your generosity has gone unnoticed or unappreciated, continue doing good.
- If your health has failed, continue doing good.
- If your child has turned away from the Lord, continue doing good.
- If you’ve recently lost a loved one, continue doing good.
- If your effort to overcome the pain that someone has caused you never seems to be enough, continue doing good.
- If your kindness is met with rejection or indifference, continue doing good.
- If you are exhausted from serving your family or community, continue doing good.
God sees every act of goodness and faithfulness. Even when the world doesn’t acknowledge it, He does. And He promises that the harvest will come at the proper time. Whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life.
Today, commit again to not give up. Keep planting seeds of the Kingdom. Keep doing good. Because the harvest is always worth the effort.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, thank You for your Son and the opportunity to serve you. Help me to live intentionally and wisely, making the most of each opportunity—and give me the strength to that again today. Amen.