What it Means to Sow and Reap Relationally

“Don’t be deceived: God is not mocked. For whatever a person sows he will also reap…Let us not get tired of doing good, for we will reap at the proper time if we don’t give up.” Galatians 6:7&9

My family and I live in the Asan countryside. It’s a comparatively more rural area between the cities of Pyeongtaek and Asan We’ve noticed the farmers around us have been busy tilling up the soil and planting or sowing rice. This past week or so they’ve been filling up their rice fields with water to fuel their growth.

Thinking thru this verse from Galatians, I believe God wants us to recognize the law of sowing and reaping in nature also applies to our lives and interpersonal relationships. We are constantly sowing and reaping. We’re sowing seeds by the decisions we make and the habits we keep. God draws our attention to his age-old truth that we will reap what we sow. Actions matter whether they are good or bad, and they will impact our futures and those around us.

If a farmer plants apple seeds, eventually he’s going to reap the fruit from the apple tree. He’s not going to walk outside one day and see an orange hanging from the tree. He sowed apple seeds and he reaps apples.
So if you are shepherding and serving the family or Soldiers God has entrusted to you to lead and disciple, you will reap the fruit of that labor. Now, understand, this is a general principle.

In American culture, we use the term “bad apples.” The reality is that all people have free will, and everyone is sowing and reaping too. We can lead well, but those we love and lead will sometimes make bad decisions that hurt themselves and others around them, and it will impact the fields you are working as a leader.

That’s just the reality of the broken world we live in. However, the principle is still true that most of those apple seeds or good decisions and actions you planted will produce good apples or good outcomes. So God tells us in Galatians 6:9 to not give up. You may be facing storms that are impacting
your plan and the fields.

Just be faithful to keep working the soil, keep watering the fields, keep developing those God has entrusted you to lead. You will reap at the proper time. It may not be on your timeline, but God is faithful, and He says you will reap what you sow at the proper time if you don’t give up. Remember the Army’s warrior ethos: I will never quit. I urge you to explain this principle to your children, the Soldiers, or others God has entrusted you to lead. They need to understand that the law of sowing and reaping we see play out in nature also applies to our relationships. It’s so important to consider and grasp the law of sowing and reaping.

What would the law of sowing and reaping look like in your family and missional community contexts? Maybe it’s having family devotionals over breakfast or dinner to emphasize the importance of God’s Word in the life of your family. Maybe it’s doing some prayer walking thru your neighborhood to prep the soil for fruitful Gospel conversations. Maybe it’s inviting your neighbors over for brunch this Sunday to strengthen your relationship and introduce them to your church community. Continue to work the soil, continue to sow good seeds. Don’t grow tired. Don’t give up. You will reap what you sow, and God will bless your labor.