The Seeds We Sow: Balancing Faith, Action and Surrender
There have been times when I’ve found myself frustrated and defeated when things didn’t go my way. Whether it was my goals, relationship, or even my spiritual life, I would pray and hope for the best, but when the results didn’t come, I’d get upset and discouraged—and sometimes, I even blamed God.
It wasn’t until I had a wake-up call that I realized the problem wasn’t God. The truth? I wasn’t doing my part.
How often do we set our hearts on something—a dream, a goal, a better relationship, or deeper faith—but only put in the bare minimum effort? It’s like saying we want a garden full of beautiful flowers but barely watering it, neglecting the weeds, and expecting everything to bloom perfectly.
I know I’ve done this. I’ve prayed for God to move in my life—for my faith to grow, for my children’s faith to flourish, my business to grow, or my marriage to get stronger. But my prayer life? It wasn’t consistent. I prayed when it was convenient, but not daily. I wasn’t fasting, digging into His Word, or truly pressing in. I wanted God to show up, but I wasn’t fully showing up myself.
Imagine planting seeds in your garden and walking away, hoping they’ll grow without tending to them. Without water, sunlight, and care, those seeds won’t sprout into the beautiful garden you imagined. The same goes for our prayer life, our dreams, and the things we deeply desire. They require intentional effort and nurturing if we want them to grow and flourish.
God calls us to partner with Him. Yes, He is a miracle worker, capable of doing what we can’t even imagine. But He also calls us to act in faith and take responsibility for the things we’ve asked Him for.
If we’re praying for our spiritual life to deepen, we need to pray consistently, dive into Scripture, and remove distractions. If we’re asking God to bless our marriage, we need to work on communication, show love even when it’s hard, and seek His guidance daily. If we’re asking Him to bless our dreams, we need to put in the work, step out in faith, and trust His timing.
I want to encourage you to ask yourself:
Am I putting in the effort that’s needed for this area of my life?
Am I trusting God but also showing Him my faith through action?
Am I nurturing the seeds I’ve planted, or am I just hoping they’ll grow on their own?
This reflection isn’t to shame us but to remind us that God doesn’t just want us to pray—He wants us to be active participants in the plans He has for us.
While doing our part is essential, it’s just as important to ensure that our hearts are fully surrendered to God. Sometimes, we pour effort into our prayers and goals, but we hold back from truly trusting Him. God may be waiting for us to take a step of obedience or to lay down something we’ve been clinging to before He moves in our lives.
Living out our faith means more than checking off tasks—it’s about aligning our hearts and actions with God’s will. Are we obeying His Word, even when it’s hard? Are we surrendering our fears, our pride, and our plans to Him? Full surrender often unlocks the blessings we’ve been praying for, as it shows that we trust Him fully to guide and provide.
Let’s not just ask God for help or answers; let’s also seek Him with open hearts and obedient lives.
It’s never too late to start watering your garden. Even if you’ve felt distant, discouraged, or overwhelmed, God’s grace meets you right where you are. Start small. Stay consistent. Trust that the seeds you nurture with prayer, faith, and effort will grow in His perfect timing.
Let’s stop being upset when things don’t go our way, and instead, let’s focus on what we can do to align our efforts with God’s plans. When we put in the work and trust Him with the outcome, we create the perfect environment for Him to move in powerful ways.
Father, thank You for the dreams, relationships, and opportunities You’ve placed in my life. Forgive me for the times I’ve expected results without putting in the effort or fully trusting You. Help me to be consistent in prayer, disciplined in action, and patient as I wait on Your timing. May I nurture every area of my life with care and intention, always leaning on You.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.
