Throw It Out There, See What Happens

The Christmas Season is a time when it is easy to become overwhelmed by our packed schedules.

There are shopping lists, Christmas dinners, work parties, ugly Christmas sweater parties, decorating the house, putting up lights, getting the tree, and many other things that come during this time of year.

Some years, the month of December is a racing blur of activity that happens so fast, we don't get a chance to slow down and enjoy it.

We hear messages at church, see pictures on social media, that talk about the "real reason for the season," but usually our focus remains on the many things we have on our calendars and check lists. 

I am not going to attempt to change everyone's mind about how they spend their time during this season. 

I am however, going to challenge you to do something as you run your errands and go to your events. 

I would like to challenge you to be good to others each time the opportunity presents itself. 

There is a verse found in Ecclesiastes 11:1 which states, "Cast your bread on the surface of the waters, for you will find it after many days." 

There are many explanations to this passage, but I will share with you my favorite, and the one I believe to be true. 

During the time this verse was written, farming was done quite a bit differently than today. You didn't have all the expensive equipment, and the ability to plumb water to areas far away from natural flowing water. So of course, most of the farming land was very near to rivers and streams. 

During the rainy seasons, the rivers would rise and flood the farm land. So instead of having a beautiful field ready for planting, you would have a great big mud puddle. 

There was a particular type of seed that was perfect for such a circumstance. This seed was most fruitful when it had time to soak in muddy water, or shallow standing water. As the floods receded, and the water returned to its normal path in the river, yet the seeds would then remain in the soil. 

What seemed like a waste of land, and a waste of seeds, was now positioned to become a rich harvest.

The scary part of this process was, the farmer was looking out at a land that was flooded, and by faith, he had to throw those seeds out on the water, hoping they ended up producing a crop.

I think there is a similar feeling of doubt when we consider showing kindness or help to others. 

What difference will this one moment make? What change will I really bring by helping this one person?

We look out at a sea of people, and it is difficult to believe that by throwing out our seeds of kindness, change will come from it.

Let me encourage you to have faith like those farmers. It may look like flood waters, or a task so large, that one person could never make a difference.

Yet this verse shows us, if we are faithful in casting our bread, or casting our seeds out on the water, we will see the return. It may be a while before we see the full return, but we are promised, it will return to us. 

So as you shop, as you look for parking, as you sit in traffic, throw your seeds out there. 

Be good to others each time the opportunity presents itself.

If you are willing, you will see the return of your effort.