(Michaela McMullin, Founder of Declare Christian Marketing, attends church at
West Lake Christian Church in Laurie, Missouri.)
Planting seeds can sometimes feel fruitless.
In the mission field we sometimes do not get to experience the bloom of a life changed. Instead, sometimes we are planting a seed or watering a seed already planted.
I reached back into my long-term memory and couldn’t think of one impactful moment from the mission trips I served at. I do remember almost every mission trip I attended being told, “When we are in the mission field, don’t expect a big revelation with big changes in lives. Instead remember you are planting a seed or maybe watering a seed that has already been planted.”
It’s true, I cannot remember any profound, blooming moment on the many mission trips I have served. I do remember that line repeated every time. I do remember repeating it to myself when I felt discouraged by the lack of sprouts bursting from the ground and buds ready to burst open with life.
Reflecting on this statement now, I am reminded of the way everyone before the coming of Jesus must have felt.
The Lord told Moses in Deuteronomy 18:18, “I will raise up for them a prophet like you from among their fellow Israelites, and I will put my words in his mouth. He will tell them everything I command him.” A seed of hope planted.
Isaiah speaks of a hope, a light in the distance, a Savior: “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace." A seed of hope planted.
King David is promised, “Your house and your kingdom will endure forever before me; your throne will be established forever” in 2 Samuel 7:16. A seed of hope planted.
Seeds of hope were planted and watered, but what we sometimes lose sight of are thousands of years of fertilization, generations of sowers, and the perfect conditions that led to the weary world rejoicing. A blooming moment happened: Jesus, the Messiah, Immanuel, the Living Word of God, Prince of Peace, Love in Flesh, was born.
