Those who sow in tears will reap with songs of joy. (Psalm 126:5, NIV)
Sending the rain is all about divine intervention, but sowing the seed involves human initiative.
If the first pressure of continuing is that we might stop hoping, the second is that we stop working, that we become so overwhelmed with the tragedy and brokenness and sorrow around us, that we throw up our hands and say, “What’s the point?”
Maybe you have been quietly praying (with tears) for a person who is far from God. Or maybe you are facing tremendous brokenness in your own life. There are plenty of tears and you face a choice—either you give way to despair or you begin sowing for a future harvest.
Joni Earekson Tada tells the story about a lady who was going through multiple tragedies in her life. Her pastor said to her one Sunday morning, “I just want you to know that I am praying for you.” Quick as a flash she said, “What are you praying?” He gave his answer and then she said, “Pray one more thing. Pray that I won’t come out of this empty-handed.”
That’s sowing in tears, and you can take the pain you are facing right now, and ask God to use it to shape the likeness of Christ in you.
Where are you facing a decision today either to give way to despair or to begin sowing for a future harvest?
