Consider the Possibilities
What possibilities are before you today?
Each day brings a new set of possibilities. A possibility is “what might happen, what might be, what could be done.” Our daily possibilities include all the potential scenarios, opportunities and choices that come our way in every 24 hour period of time.
The tendency of most people is to think of daily possibilities as something outside of their control. We usually concern ourselves with what might happen to us, what could come our way, what external influences may impact us, especially those things that might impact us negatively. This causes us to live defensively rather than offensively — passively rather than proactively. We worry and fret, trying to guard and protect ourselves from painful possibilities or we live with a sense of helplessness about life. All of this robs us of peace and productivity.
Part of God’s plan for us involves moving us from the negative to the positive, from the defensive to the offensive, from the passive to the proactive when it comes to life’s possibilities. He wants us to go into each day looking for ways that our faith and godly actions can impact the world around us.
Instead of waiting to see what might happen to us, we are called to make good things happen by the thoughts we think, the words we speak and the things we do. We are to be God’s agents of blessing, transformation, reconciliation, service and love, transforming the environment around us rather than reflecting it or reacting to it.
This seems like a tall order. How can we have this kind of effect on our world?
The answer is actually a simple one. All God asks of us is that we live our lives as His “seed sowers.”
"Over time the right seeds change an environment:
Planting peace in a hostile environment can change it.
Planting forgiveness in the face of resentment can heal a relationship.
Planting order in an atmosphere of chaos, confusion and disorder can transform it.
Planting a smile in a room full of frowns can make a huge difference.
Planting hope in a heart of someone that is hopeless can inspire them.
Planting the message of Jesus in the life of someone who is lost can lead them to salvation.
Take a look at what the wise man Solomon said about sowing good seeds:
“Plant your seed in the morning and keep busy all afternoon, for you don’t know if profit will come from one activity or another- or maybe both.” — Ecclesiastes 11:6 (NLT)
What possibilities are before you today? Instead of thinking about the negative things that might happen to you, start thinking about what you might do to change the world God has placed you in. Think about the positive things that can happen when you plant the right seeds. And don’t just think about it, go ahead and sow!
Dale O'Shields
For more information, visit the Church of the Redeemer's website.
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