Reap and Sow
One of my favorite things to do as a little girl was pick flowers. In fact, I loved it so much that I’d try to pick anything I could get my hands on in my family’s yard. My parents thought it was adorable, and yet, understandably they didn’t want their yard to become barren with my insistence on plucking all I could attempt to grab out of the ground…
So they began placing little marker flags throughout the grass - you know the ones…orange flags…skinny metal poles - a bright and shiny thing for my little eyes and hands. You can imagine my glee upon toddling outside to find the yard littered with these treasures that I couldn’t wait to get my hands on. (And as soon as I picked one, my parents were putting two more in the ground behind me…it was a genius system)
Flash forward to adulthood… I will say the urge to “pluck anything” has passed. (I’ve moved on from the flags…) But, my love of flowers has grown immensely. And I firmly believe this is where it all started - seeing these little bursts of color come out of the ground drew my eyes and I had to touch and hold them. As a little girl I’m sure I tossed them aside, but now…I press them, I make bouquets, I take pictures, I fill my home with them.
They are a joyful creation God made that lights up my heart and soul whenever I see them…especially wildflowers.
There is one in particular that is currently blooming which caught my heart especially.
You may have heard of Queen Anne’s Lace - it’s a common wildflower that braves the heat and blooms in the peak of summer. The plant is best known for its large, flat-topped clusters of tiny white flowers, which resemble intricate lace. These clusters can be up to 5 inches across, and the plant itself can grow to be 1 to 4 feet tall. Usually, it can be found on roadsides or in meadows.
In my study of this wildflower, I found something that had me pause. Did you know that Queen Anne’s lace will absorb the color of the water you place it in?
For example, if I pluck three stems of this flower and place one in water with blue food coloring, another in red, and the last one in yellow, the flowers on the plant will absorb not only the water but the dye as well. It’s one thing to drink what is given, but the unique aspect of this wildflower is that the white flowers will turn into the color of the dye they absorb. So the stem in blue dye will ultimately have blue flowers…etc.
This plant reflects what it consumes…and there lies the lesson for our hearts.
In our daily lives, we are constantly bombarded with messages, images, and influences from the world around us. From social media to news outlets, from television shows to conversations with people we encounter, our minds are continually absorbing information. Just as our physical health is influenced by our food, our spiritual health is shaped by what we allow into our hearts and minds. The question we must ask ourselves is: What are we feeding our spirits?
“A man reaps what he sows. Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life.” Galatians 6:7
If we spend most of our time consuming negative news, social media entertainment, and materialistic advertisements, our minds and hearts - like the Queen Anne’s Lace when placed in water with dye - will inevitably reflect these inputs. We may find ourselves becoming more anxious, more cynical, and more distant from God. It's all too easy to be swept away by the currents of popular culture, which often glorify values and lifestyles contrary to those taught by Christ.
When I replace reading in the bible with scrolling on social media…connecting with others to retreating away… taking care of me with being hard on myself, I find doubts get louder, I question my worth, and anxiety becomes a constant companion. (and that is just the beginning of the list…) I get stuck in a negative loop. I have less patience for people. I’m more selfish. My focus is on ME and what I’m lacking. Though I am taking in things, they don't provide nourishment for my heart and soul. Like the flower, I’m drinking up that blue dye, and showing it off to the world. And that is not WHO I was designed to reflect.
So for us, it’s important to be intentional about what goes “into our water.” Here’s a breakdown:
1. The Impact of Media:
What we watch, read, and listen to has a profound effect on our thoughts and attitudes. Philippians 4:8 urges us to focus on what is true, noble, right, pure, lovely, and admirable. When we consume media that aligns with these virtues, we cultivate a mindset that honors God and brings peace. Conversely, consuming negative or sinful content can lead us astray and fill our minds with things that distance us from God’s will.
2. The Influence of Relationships:
The people we surround ourselves with also shape who we become. Proverbs 13:20 says, “Walk with the wise and become wise, for a companion of fools suffers harm.” The company we keep can either encourage us to grow closer to God or lead us into temptation. It’s crucial to choose friends and mentors who will support our spiritual growth and challenge us to live according to God’s standards.
3. The Power of Our Thoughts:
Our thoughts are the seeds that grow into actions. Romans 12:2 tells us, “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” By meditating on God’s Word consistently and filling our minds with His promises and truth, we transform our inner lives and align our actions with His will. This renewal of the mind is an ongoing process that requires us to be intentional about what we think about and dwell on.
4. The Nourishment of God’s Word:
Just as our bodies need healthy food to thrive, our spirits need the nourishment of God’s Word. Jesus said in Matthew 4:4, “Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.” Time spent reading scripture (ideally a little a day at least) feeds our spirits, provides wisdom, and guides our steps. When we regularly consume Scripture, we build a strong foundation for our faith and fortify ourselves against the challenges of life. Evenmore, we deepen our relationship with God.
Jesus taught us the importance of being intentional about what we allow into our hearts and minds. In Matthew 6:22-23, He said, "The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are healthy, your whole body will be full of light. But if your eyes are unhealthy, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light within you is darkness, how great is that darkness!" What we focus on can either fill us with light or darkness.
We must remain vigilant and guard our hearts against the subtle ways the world can infiltrate our thoughts and actions. Like a garden, If we neglect it and allow weeds to grow unchecked, they will eventually choke out the healthy plants. Similarly, if we neglect our spiritual lives and allow worldly influences to take root, they can choke out our faith and draw us away from God.
On the other hand, if we tend to our spiritual garden by nurturing it with God's truth, love, and wisdom, we will bear good fruit and reflect His light to the world.
Do not let the “dye” of this world seep into your heart. May it instead be purified with the cleansing waters that God has to nourish us.
