This should be an encouraging message for us, as it was for the apostles and early disciples. We are both sowers and reapers.
We are certainly reapers of the seeds of faith sown by our parents and grandparents and others who witnessed faith to us. We are also sowers by virtue of the fact that we are called to witness our faith to others and if we are parents, we are called to sow the seeds of faith in our children.
I have heard parents say that they will just let their children grow up and then decide if they choose to be Christian. That's like never giving your children fish and then when they are grown asking them if they prefer their fish fried or baked! If they have never had fish, how would they know?
In my career, I have known parents who had different faith traditions – Christian and Muslim, Christian and Jewish, and different denominations of Christianity, as well as Christian and atheist. These parents introduced their children to both faith traditions so that the children could make an informed decision as adults. I applaud them.
The most important thing is to plant the seeds. Those seeds are watered and fed by teaching them to pray, to know that God loves them and will always be there for them.
If we nourish the seeds that we have planted then the Holy Spirit will take care of the rest. Ultimately, the Lord is the primary gardener.
Just as God watered the seeds that took root in the early days of the church, he continues this today. He wants us who are reaping the reward of eternal life, to continue to plant seeds throughout our lifetime, so that there will continue to be those who reap in the years to come.
