Planting Season 

by Bruce Yentes 

 

"A tree is known by its fruit, a man by his deeds. A good deed is never lost; he who sows courtesy reaps friendship, and he who plants kindness gathers love." - Saint Basil 

 

Spring marks the beginning of planting season in the Midwest for farmers and gardeners alike.

 

With gardeners manning their tillers and farmers taking to the field with their tractors and planters, seeds are being sown with hopes of a bountiful harvest in the future.

 

Here in Central Illinois it won't be long before the dormant fields of winter come alive with the appearance of corn and soybean plants emerging from what not long ago was a snow covered landscape.

 

With proper cultivation, sunshine and timely rains it also won't be long before we see these fields begin to take shape. The soybean fields will be recognized for their stout, low-to-the-ground plants and the cornfields by their tall, sturdy stalks.

 

The same holds true in our spiritual lives.

 

In Matthew 7:16, Jesus said: "By their fruit you will recognize them."

 

Galatians 6:7-10 tells us: "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. Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers."

 

We do good to all people by sharing the "fruit of the Spirit," identified in Galatians 5:22-23 as "love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control."

 

These fruits are the characteristics that portray the transformation that occurs when we accept Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior and surrender our lives to the guidance of the Holy Spirit.

 

The Holy Spirit produces this fruit within us. It's up to us to "keep in step with the Spirit " (Galatians 5:29) by exhibiting these attributes in our interactions with others as a reflection of God's kingdom.

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