Sow in Tears, Reap with Joy—Two2Grow, Tuesday, October 27
Sow in Tears, Reap with Joy—Two2Grow, Tuesday, October 27
“Those who sow with tears will reap with songs of joy.” Psalm 126:5 NIV
Being a follower of Jesus means imitating his self-giving life. One of the key characteristics we need to develop is the habit of giving.
One image used in Scripture for giving is sowing. When we are generous with our money, our time, our care, our smiles, our words, and our talents, we are sowing seeds. And often, giving is costly—it is sowing with tears.
Sometimes people do not appreciate our efforts. Sometimes we do not see the desired outcome. And sometimes we feel that God is leading us to give away something we need ourselves. At times, we give emotional support or a listening ear while feeling empty and worn out on the inside.
More than once, the Holy Spirit has led Emelie and me to give away money that we actually needed ourselves.
Sowing in tears comes with the promise of reaping with joy. You can look at it as the tears watering the seed. So, when giving is painful, know that the seed is empowered to produce a harvest that will bring gladness to your heart—if not now, at least in eternity.
Relationships of all kinds require a measure of self-giving. As spouses, parents and grandparents, sowing into your spouse, children and grandchildren takes self-giving and sometimes even tears. In those moments, remind yourself that God is at work, bringing those seeds to a joyful harvest.
Father, thank You that when I sow with tears, You will bring me a harvest of joy. Amen.
Pastor Mikael Stenhammar, PhD
Being a follower of Jesus means imitating his self-giving life. One of the key characteristics we need to develop is the habit of giving.
One image used in Scripture for giving is sowing. When we are generous with our money, our time, our care, our smiles, our words, and our talents, we are sowing seeds. And often, giving is costly—it is sowing with tears.
Sometimes people do not appreciate our efforts. Sometimes we do not see the desired outcome. And sometimes we feel that God is leading us to give away something we need ourselves. At times, we give emotional support or a listening ear while feeling empty and worn out on the inside.
More than once, the Holy Spirit has led Emelie and me to give away money that we actually needed ourselves.
Sowing in tears comes with the promise of reaping with joy. You can look at it as the tears watering the seed. So, when giving is painful, know that the seed is empowered to produce a harvest that will bring gladness to your heart—if not now, at least in eternity.
Relationships of all kinds require a measure of self-giving. As spouses, parents and grandparents, sowing into your spouse, children and grandchildren takes self-giving and sometimes even tears. In those moments, remind yourself that God is at work, bringing those seeds to a joyful harvest.
Father, thank You that when I sow with tears, You will bring me a harvest of joy. Amen.
Pastor Mikael Stenhammar, PhD