I Did Not Know How

I don’t take credit for any success that we have been able to achieve – I give all the credit to God and the Holy Spirit working through me.  It wasn’t all rosy all the time.  There were certainly struggles and setbacks along the way, but God was working all things together for good in the end.  One of my favorite scriptures says it perfectly:

“So is the kingdom of God, as if a man should cast seed into the ground; And should sleep, and rise night and day, and the seed should spring and grow up, he knows not how.” (Mark 4:26) 

That scripture perfectly describes me and my situation as a young husband, as a young dad and as an inexperienced professional.  I had a vision and desire planted by the Lord but “I did not know how” I was going to accomplish any of it!  I had a desire to succeed at a high level in my profession.  I wanted to be able to provide for Denise and the kids.  I had a vision of being able to afford nice things for the family, to be able to take advantage of sports and other opportunities, to be able to afford to send our kids to good colleges.  And of course, to take a nice vacation every now and then 😊

Cast Seed Into the Ground
So, I did what the Word instructed – “I cast seed into the ground” on faith, both physically and much more importantly, spiritually. 

Spiritually, casting seed entailed abiding in the Lord and having relationship with Him, but more specifically it entailed planting the seed of God’s Word into my spirit and renewing my mind daily in His promises to achieve transformation according to Romans 12:2.  Faith cometh by hearing and hearing by the Word of God. We can’t just know the Word intellectually. We must meditate on it so it becomes living and active on the inside of us.  I had a desire to pay the price of study and meditation that God requires in 2 Timothy 2:15, Psalm 1:1–3 and Joshua 1:8 which is necessary in order for His Word to come alive on the inside of us.  This is of utmost importance!

There is no better spiritual seed than the Word of God and there is no better spiritual soil than our hearts.

Physically, I did the work to the best of my ability, but I never got out of balance in this regard.  I never worked 60-70 hour weeks like so many people take pride in doing.  Most of the time, I probably worked about 40-45 hours, depending on if there was a project that needed extra attention.  I made it a goal to never miss a family event, school function or game for my kids.  And I certainly never got up at the break of dawn or some ungodly hour lol.  I look at it like this – God blessed my efforts on “just” 40 hours a week in much the same way He can bless our finances when we keep less for ourselves and give Him a portion of our income. 

Seed, Time & Harvest
So, I planted seed on faith, both physically and spiritually, most of the time not seeing any tangible growth or progress.  Day after day, week after week, month after month I did the work – I cast seed into the ground.  It was a faith walk – understanding God’s laws that says we will reap what we sow, not sure how or when or which seed will spring up and produce a harvest but was assured by God’s promises that I would be rewarded in due season for my efforts if I persevered and did not grow weary. 

My success as a believer was as simple as taking the promises from God’s Word and sowing them in my heart

I actually quit worrying about the visible results to a large degree. Instead, I focused on taking the Word of God and planting it in my heart in order to be transformed by the renewing of my mind. I knew that if I kept God’s Word dwelling on the inside of me that it would literally begin to put down roots through every part of my being and the power of the Word would start permeating through me to produce a harvest.  My success as a believer was as simple as taking the Word of God and sowing it in my heart and being patient in order for the seed of the Word to germinate within me and produce a harvest.

Once you get this system going, and you’ve invested this time, the Word of God will just supernaturally change you. As Andrew Womack says, you’ll be changed effortlessly by the Word of God. It’ll just spring forth and grow up in your life and you’ll be transformed. 

And as I said before, “I Did Not Know How!”  As I reflect back on my life and my career, there is absolutely no way I could have planned and executed what I have been able to accomplish on my own power and intellect.  I look back and am in absolute awe at how God opened so many doors and orchestrated so many relationships and events and outcomes – the Lord had his hand in it all.  It definitely wasn’t my great wisdom or ability that caused me to have some success, it was the blessing of God.  There is no doubt that God is the source of all good things in our lives.  (James 1:17)