Sowing in Tears

 

    

 Psalm 126:5-6   

                   "Those who sow in tears shall reap with joyful shouting

He who goes to and fro weeping, carrying his bag of seed,

Shall indeed come again with a shout of joy, bringing his sheaves with him."

What does it mean to sow in tears? We don’t always understand the agricultural metaphors and parables of the Bible because our culture is industrial. We don’t depend directly on the cycle of plowing, sowing, waiting and reaping for our livelihood. The people of Jesus’ day fully understood because their very lives revolved around these seasons.

After harvest, the people enjoyed the fruit of their labor, but as the year progressed, the harvest was depleted. The food supply was dwindling. When planting season came back around, all they had left was a bag of grain. Perhaps the forecast looked grim - a dry season was coming.  They could eat now or plant it as seed, trusting God to bring rain, growth and harvest.  When they courageously sowed their seed and released their faith, tears came.

It's okay to show your tears.

Like the farmer who has just sown that last bag of seed, you may find yourselves in that middle place, the one between planting and harvest.

In the valley between mountains.

In the middle between the need and the testimony.

Transitions are hard. They signal the death of one season, the hope for another.

 A new harvest will come and you will INDEED come again rejoicing, bringing new sheaves of harvest with you! You will reap answers to your faithful prayers.

 Galatians 6:9 “And let us not be weary in well doing, for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not”

 Keep sowing in your middle place!  It may look like you have nothing left to sow.  Sow gratitude and praise. Sow seeds of care and encouragement to others. God understands if your sowing is in tears. He will even provide new seed to sow!

2 Cor 9:10 “Now He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness.”

Questions to ponder, pray, share:

·        --Do you recall a time when you sowed in tears?

·       --How would you identify your present season: sowing, waiting or reaping?

·      -- If you are in the waiting phase, what seeds are you continuing to sow?

·       --Thank God for the sheaves you will harvest and that you will bring in with great joy.!

Hebrews 13:15 “By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually.”