n e w c h u r c h l i f e : j u ly / au g u s t 2 0 1 6
do in this world to sow seeds that can
grow forever. Because of this, much of
the fruits of our labors are not visible to
us in this life, but will be in the future.
We should not be surprised that we
may see but a small amount of spiritual
harvest in this world. It is inherent
in the nature of this natural world to
limit happiness; it is fairly superficial
and external. We have to spend a
tremendous amount of time providing
for ourselves and our homes – taking
care of our external needs. Our work
takes countless hours. Maintaining our
homes consumes more. And even with
our children, think of the time that is given to the care of their physical needs
when they are young. The focus tends to be on taking care of business – or the
busyness of life. Thus we often overlook what good is being produced because
we are not looking for it.
Also, many worries or troubles beset us here and demand our attention.
Cars break down. Our parents or friends need to be cared for. Physical or
emotional challenges limit our usefulness in this world. These and numerous
other natural concerns lead us to only look at what is wrong. For this reason
we do not notice some of the good that is taking place in our spirit.
This can lead to discouragement – thinking that we are not being spiritually
fruitful. But to accept such discouragement is to belittle all that the Lord is
accomplishing. For every day, each moment of the day, the Lord is planting
seeds in our lives which will bear fruit.
For the purpose of this world is not
to complete all things but to begin all
things.
The Writings say: “When a person
enters the next world, the seed is set
free from natural things and starts to
grow, just like the seed of a tree, which
when it comes out of the ground, grows
into a small tree, then into a large
tree, and is after that multiplied into
a garden of trees, for all knowledges,
and wisdom, and the forms of delight
that go with them, are in a similar way
Every day, each moment
of the day, the Lord is
planting seeds in our
lives which will bear
fruit. For the purpose
of this world is not to
complete all things but
to begin all things.
Whatever is good,
whatever we have
embraced from the
Lord, has eternal value.
It cannot be lost or
become unimportant.
The seeds planted here
will grow in the next life.
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