But Only God, Who Makes Things Grow

About 3 months ago, my husband and I moved our family from Wisconsin to Ohio to be part of a new church that hadn't yet opened its doors. With plans for a big launch, we had hope for large turnouts and community impact right from the beginning. That hasn't quite been our story.

Church planting is exactly what it says. It's planting! We didn't plant grown crops; we planted a seed. An abundant crop doesn't come right away. That has been a tough lesson to learn. But through it, God reminds us that the harvest belongs to Him. Nothing grows except by His authority.

"Neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, 

but only God, who makes things grow.  

The one who plants and the one who waters have one purpose, 

and they will each be rewarded according to their own labor.  

For we are co-workers in God’s service; 

you are God’s field, God’s building." 

(1 Corinthians 3:7-9)

In Leviticus 25, it was the year of jubilee. In honor of this holy time, God told his people to return to their own clans, and they were not to sow or reap any crop. That's a scary command! God knew it could cause concern. He continued in verses 20-21:

                                          "And if you say, 'What shall we eat in the seventh year, 

                                                   if we may not sow or gather in our crop?' 

                                            I will command my blessing on you in the sixth year, 

                                          so that it will produce a crop sufficient for three years."

Why would God command His people not to sow or reap? By His power and blessing, God chose to produce a harvest in spite of the efforts of His people. "Neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow." This couldn't have been made more evident than when God brought forth crop without the labor of man.

RiverNorth Church is 2 months old now. We will continue to sow, plant and labor for the Kingdom. That is what God is calling us to do. We are learning so much, and have seen tremendous blessing! In His time, God will move us from a season of sowing to a season of reaping. In the meantime, we are humbly reminded that we are just co-workers in God's service. 

By His authority, and only for His glory!

Want to get to know RiverNorth Church? Visit:

www.rivernorthchurch.com

www.facebook.com/rivernorthchurch