Friday Fight 158: Being Cultivated or Covered

Every Friday, when I wake and pray, God places something on my heart to help me fight darkness beginning in our minds. Today is FF158.

We can all recall numerous instances when God has guided our paths and placed a purpose on our hearts. These experiences, too many to count, become our testimonies. In our continued effort to grow, we realize we missed opportunities by not being completely open to God's leading. But what about the more complex or life-altering things God places on our hearts that seem impossible? Perhaps God has asked us to embark on a mission trip, bless someone financially, or make a career change. In these moments, a seed is planted in the soil of our souls. How can we ensure these seeds are nurtured according to God's plan and trust His divine guidance?

Being Cultivated or Covered:

Consider the benefits we reap from life-changing decisions God has placed on our hearts. It's through our obedience that we experience these transformations. Let's not forget that God is faithful and will continue to stretch us to the capacity of fullness that He has prepared for our lives. Our spiritual journey is a continuous progression, striving to be like Christ. This is where our spiritual lives mirror a season of planting.

Just as a seed requires the right conditions to grow, God continually sows seeds in our lives and provides the necessary spiritual nutrients for their cultivation. Prayer, fasting, Scripture, fellowship, repentance, and even communion are essential elements and lifebloods nourishing our faith. To prevent these seeds from lying dormant, we must actively maintain a steadfast focus on God and the seed He has planted within our soil. As 1 Corinthians 3:7 reminds us, God makes things grow, not the one who plants or waters them. This verse encourages a relationship with God and reminds us to keep our focus on Him.

Some might think about past plans that felt impossible or something current and crazy as we wonder what God is doing. Knowing the seed will grow if we continue to seek and trust God means the cultivation process is in His hands; we only need to surrender obediently. If not, when God plants us in soil, it can feel like being buried instead of planted. The difference is what we welcome into the soil. Spiritual nutrients promote spiritual growth, just like fertilizer, and the soil becomes a place of life.

What if we disregard the seeds God has sown in our lives? Whether they seem overwhelming, we feel unprepared or refuse; we must trust that He has already orchestrated every detail and will equip us accordingly. If we reject these seeds, His plan is covered by unhealthy elements like sins of pride, rebellion, fear, and disobedience. Failing to trust God through each season means this plan could be delayed.

When God places something on our hearts to do, uncertainty may immediately consume our thoughts, which may persist as darkness tries to hinder God's plan in our lives. In these moments, praying, seeking God's guidance, and patiently waiting for His plan to unfold is essential.

Focus on something other than the cost or the parts of the plan that seem unclear; the wrong choice will always be cheaper yet more costly to our spiritual growth. We can fear disappointing God or walking in His plan, our choice. But, when we move according to His timetable, He continues moving in us, bringing peace and calm to our journey. If you know God has planted a seed and doubts have covered it, let's ask God for help and follow the Holy Spirit's leading. God plants us in uncomfortable situations that make no sense, but until we step into His calling, we can't bloom. Let's see where God takes us!

Pastor Shannon

New Life Calvert