What then is Apollos? And what is Paul? Servants through whom you believed, even as the Lord gave opportunity to each one. I planted, Apollos watered, but God was causing the growth. So then neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but God who causes the growth. Now he who plants and he who waters are one; but each will receive his own reward according to his own labor. For we are God’s fellow workers; you are God’s field, God’s building (I Corinthians 3:5-9, NASB).
Not all seeds germinate over the same period of time. Time varies between planting and sprouting, so expect considerable variation.
I recently learned of two great examples within our own church family which illustrate the point of always using opportunities to sow seed and be an influence on others for Christ.
Shelba Kennedy once lived in Ohio and had a friend she had impacted by living her Christianity out before her. Shelba’s friend had not become a Christian by the time Shelba left Ohio. However, Shelba was speaking with a lady who attended our lectureship and they were sharing their common connection of Ohio and Bible correspondence courses (bcc). Through their discussions, this lady revealed that she was providing a bcc to a lady in a town where Shelba had lived and as you have probably already guessed, the lady is studying with Shelba’s old friend. Seeds planted long ago can spring forth, even after many years.
Several years ago, Thelma Teague invited her neighbor to attend a service at Karns, but for whatever reason she was put off by something that was said or done and did not return. Thelma continued being a good neighbor and living her Christian life as an example to her neighbor. This neighbor recently saw our flyer in the paper for our bcc and because of the influence from her neighbor Thelma, and where she is at this point in her life, she decided to send in for the course. Our own Jane Higdon is presently providing this bcc for this lady. Seeds planted, with continued watering, will eventually germinate and sprout forth.
I am so thankful for our members’ past and present efforts in using opportunities to be of service to our Lord and Master. I am so glad Wendell Agee placed that flyer in our local paper and for the marvelous job he is doing in keeping this effort alive and growing.
If you have not as yet sown seeds for the Master, start now! If you have opportunity to water where others have planted, take it! Wendell has many courses yet to send and much help is needed, decide now to get involved! Pray for all of these efforts and souls.
–For the elders (Gregg Woodall)