Lessons From The Ground Squirrels

I was cutting the grass the other day when I noticed a big ‘wad’ of green, bothersome weeds growing up thru the gravel surrounding the base of our bird bath. Hanging in the tree above the bird bath is a bird feeder, where squirrels and birds both gather frequently to gorge themselves. Some of the seeds inevitably drop to the ground where they are quickly collected by the ground squirrels. Ground squirrels have a habit of storing the seeds in their cheeks until they can dig a hole and bury their stash for later. Apparently, not all of the seeds that had been buried got dug back up and eaten. Now they were growing like crazy!
As I used my weed eater to whack them down, I was reminded of what Paul said in Galatians 6:7 "Do not be deceived. God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows.”
Life is a lot like those bird seeds. Everyday we experience challenges, choices, decisions, and troubles. The way we handle ourselves and react to those situations, eventually results in a harvest of either blessings, hardships or more challenges. And it’s a never ending cycle of reaping and sowing, reaping and sowing, reaping and sowing.
We’ve all had our share of reaping hardship. No one enjoys those times. Most of the time, when we plant the seeds that yield hardship, we weren’t considering the coming harvest of trials, yet we made choices that resulted in times we wish we didn’t have to endure.
No matter what situation or circumstance you may be facing, always keep in mind that the things we do today – the choices, decisions and words we say – are seeds we’re planting for a harvest tomorrow. The harvest might not come in for months or even years, but some day we’ll have to face the consequences of our actions. When that happens and it’s bad, it’s never easy... it hurts. And not only does it hurt you, but it also hurts those who you’re close to. Sometimes the hurt might be so bad that you want to give up and quit. You may have to muster up all the emotional and physical energy you have just to make it thru one more day. When you find yourself in that kind of situation, remember that another harvest is just around the bend. And keep in mind that Paul also said, "The one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life."
If you’ve been planting seeds that are yielding a wad of bothersome weeds in your life, start planting the right seeds... And don’t get weary and quit. Galatians 6:9 encourages us that we will reap a harvest of good in due season if we won’t quit. So hang in there. Don’t shirk doing the right thing. If there are problems you need to confront, do so. If you have relationship issues that you need to work out, don’t wait around or avoid them. If you have anything that you need to work thru, either alone or with another person, in order to walk in integrity and live in a manner that honors the Lord, do it now. And remember: you will reap what you sow in due season. What kind of crop do you have coming in?

Posted in: Consequences, reaping and sowing