Lessons from the Mission Field: Planting Seeds

Seeds we plant may take years to grow, in God's time. Sharing is never in vain. We can never know the full impact. We must be faithful and trust God.

Lessons from the Mission Field:
Planting Seeds

This week's devotions are written by my friend Becky Dean, missions director at Great Hills Baptist Church.

- Pastor Danny

"So is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it."

(Isaiah 55:11)

On our recent trip to Asia, we visited schools and led VBS-type programs with crafts, games, and music. We taught the creation story and shared the full Gospel. The kids were so polite, respectful, and sweet. Most are raised Buddhist, and the concept of God creating the world, loving them, and wanting a relationship with them was new.

During one of the visits, the missionary we served alongside told me of a girl she knew who grew up in this country. The girl had heard the Gospel at an event like this when she was a child and didn't think much of it at the time. Years later, she moved to the U.S. for college and got a job here. Then, challenging life circumstances made her question life and faith. She recalled what she had heard as a kid about a God who loved her, and she found a local Christian church to seek help and answers. Eventually, she gave her life to Jesus.

This story was a great reminder that seeds we plant may grow over years, in God's time. Sharing is never in vain. At the schools we visited, several of the kids did raise their hands and say they wanted to know more about Jesus. Local churches and pastors are doing the follow-up work. We pray that those children were genuine, truly understood what they heard, and were moved to follow Christ. Our team may never get to see the fruit in those lives—and there may have been kids who didn't think much of our message at the time but will recall it years later.

We can never know the eternal impact, and we might not see it in this life, but this was a reminder to me to be faithful and trust that God will use everything. In 1 Corinthians 3:6-7, Paul writes, "I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God has been making it grow. So neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow."

God is always working. His timeline isn't ours. And He sees further than we ever could. Let me encourage you, whether it seems small or not, to plant those seeds, share that verse, pray for that person, and encourage someone. You never know how or when God will use it. He's the one working in people's hearts, and all He asks of us is to be faithful. How amazing it will be one day in heaven to see how He used our obedience and faithfulness in ways we never imagined!