“Father, I entrust my spirit into your hands!” –Luke 23:46
And he said, “The kingdom of God is as if a man should scatter seed on the ground. He sleeps and rises night and day, and the seed sprouts and grows; he knows not how. The earth produces by itself, first the blade, then the ear, then the full grain in the ear. But when the grain is ripe, at once he puts in the sickle, because the harvest has come.”(Mark 4:26–29 ESV)
Ask any farmer how he was able to produce his crops, and he’ll likely tell you about schedules for tilling, planting, watering, and fertilization, as well as all the work and resources that went into controlling pests and preventing disease. The real truth is the farmer’s only tasks are to plant the seed and, as much as it is within his control, to create the proper environment for growth, which is a tall order unto itself. The actual growth of the seed into a plant ready to harvest is entirely dependent upon God.
The same is true of the Kingdom of God. Our shoulders do not carry the burden of growing the Kingdom of God, but we are certainly invited to take part in the work of the Kingdom. In Underground Church, Brian Sanders writes, “Just like the original work of the church, which started at Pentecost, our obedience is only made possible by the work of the Holy Spirit. Nothing should be planted or initiated that is not inspired and confirmed by the voice and will of God.” If we are open to the voice of the Holy Spirit and follow where He leads us, we can trust that God will be glorified. When we depend on God, the results are not our responsibility but His. This, of course, means we should be listening for and to His voice. Set aside time in the next day or two dedicated to listening to what God would say to you.