Sowing and Walking
Today, I spent some time thinking about sowing to the Spirit and walking in the Spirit.
Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life.”
— Galatians 6:7–8 (MEV)
“I say then, walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh.”
— Galatians 5:16 (MEV)
Focusing on what the differences are between these two in the Christian life and what each looks like:
SOWING
Sowing is future focused - it is an investment in the future.
It involves growing and ends with harvesting.
Sowing starts with preparation - tiling up hard soil, removing rocks - cultivating an environment for seeds to grow well in.
Sowing results in long-term effects on one’s life.
We harvest what we’ve sown in the future.
It provides for the future (good or bad).
One reaps what one sows - there rules to this; it is not arbitrary; there are no surprises.
WALKING
Walking, however, is very different.
It is present - one is either walking or not walking.
Walking with someone or something means to keep in pace with one another - often in step and time.
It’s movement - progress.
It is intimate. Barb (my wife) & I walked on a 7 mile hike and a guy walked with us for a bit - it felt awkward - “why is he walking with us?”
We cannot walk together if one person is running off ahead or lagging behind.
Being out of step, lagging behind, or running off ahead makes walking together a challenge.
Walking together means being attentive to the other’s movements - are they turning, speeding up/slowing down, avoiding something.
Most importantly, the longer we walk together with someone the more familiar we are with their steps.
So, what are you sowing in your life that will have future benefits? Consequences?
Are you keeping in step with the Spirit as you walk? Or are you running off ahead or maybe lagging behind?
👉 Feel free to reply with your thoughts.
I pray you are keenly aware of Him today.
— Peace.