I think one reason I enjoy cutting grass so much is because I can instantly see the results after! There’s nothing like finishing up your yard and then sitting back to look and enjoy the work you’ve put in. Most of us prefer to see instant results in life, whether it’s our health goals, career aspirations, relationships or improvements in our hobbies.
Sometimes life works that way, but more often than not, it doesn’t! I was reminded of this the other night when I had the opportunity to baptize one of my students. I’ve been pouring into this student for almost two years, planting seeds of the Gospel and just being present, as I try to do with all of my students. Sometimes I get discouraged, because I just want them to “get it”, however, I have to remember that it’s not my job to save or grow them. We are His instruments, but only the Lord changes hearts.
As this student approached me recently about baptism, we first unpacked his faith journey. He shared with me all that Jesus had been doing in his heart this year and that he had come to a place of trusting in Christ for salvation in recent weeks.
Right before I baptized him, he shared with over 100 students that all of the seeds that other teachers, coaches and mentors had planted in his life over the years had come to fruition, and he was making the decision to follow Jesus and go public’s with his faith! I was reminded of 1 Corinthians 3:
What then is Apollos? What is Paul? They are servants through whom you believed, and each has the role the Lord has given. I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth. So, then, neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God who gives the growth.
1 Corinthians 3:5-7
Praise the Lord! He is always working and uses each of us in the journey to impact others. I am now excited to see how God uses this student to plant seeds of the Gospel to others!
Think about it: Who has played a part in your faith journey? Who’s life are you investing in for their faith journey? Nothing is wasted!
Matthew Weaver 