Have you ever had times when you found yourself giving, doing, spending time, effort, sweat, going out of your way to help, and investing all to give to others?

As tonight's prayer and devotional remind us, those times can be exciting but draining of strength, resources, and time. We can feel like giving up, not seeing progress or goals achieved, feeling discouraged, down, and worn out, even wishing at times that we’d never started.

It’s during those times we can look to God, have faith, and trust Him that our intentions and efforts are being cultivated in unseen places, and will bring forth good results, even, if, for extended times we don’t see anything happening, maybe not for years, or decades, before reaping the results we had hoped for when we first began.

The Apostle Paul seemed to understand how planting and growing in others can take time, and it isn’t up to us to see it blossom and bloom. As he wrote in 1 Corinthians 3:7, “So neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow.”

Especially when it comes to investing in people, it can seem painfully slow before we even start seeing anything happening, to see the things we’ve planted and watered begin to sprout and grow.

Waiting can feel like it’s going on forever through the long, hard days of seeing no progress or growth, wondering if our time and efforts spent on investing in others are coming up fruitless. It can be times of deep anguish and sorrowful weeping.

But God offers us the spiritual fruits of patience and long suffering in our lives, to help us endure during the quiet, inactive times. As Galatians 5:22 describes, “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness.”

He also promises joy that, no matter the situation, comes from knowing Him. As John 15:11 explains, “I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.”

As Paul encourages in Romans 12:12, “Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.”

TONIGHT’S SCRIPTURE

“Those who sow with tears will reap with songs of joy”- Psalm 126:5

YOUR NIGHTLY PRAYER

Dear Father,
Even though there have been many tears over the years with regard to the time, effort, and investment we have invested in others’ lives for your glory, help us to have faith in what you are accomplishing in their lives, and to be joyful about the opportunities we have to do so. Remind us, too, of those who have done the same in our lives. Thank you for the privilege of working together with you in the lives of others. O Lord, our hearts are also deeply grateful to those You sent to plant and water our own lives.
In Jesus ’name,
Amen.

THREE THINGS TO MEDITATE UPON

1. Think back on your life and how others planted and watered you in various ways. Look at yourself then and now and consider if those things have taken root and begun to sprout yet in your life.

2. Ask God to remind you of those whose lives you have watered and planted. Consider checking in with them to see how they are progressing in the walk with the Lord.

3. Thank God for all the friends, families, pastors, teachers, and others who have taken the time and effort to water and plant God’s endeavors in your life, giving thanks for each one by name.

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