Everything that you do for others is a blessing from God, whether it is planting seeds of faith and hope and encouragement in the heart of someone, or maybe watering the seeds that someone else has planted; being there day after day to help that person grow in the Lord or maybe get back on track. You could have the privilege of harvesting a soul for the kingdom of God and helping them winnow out the chaff from the wheat; getting out the garbage from their old life so there is room for the new things God has for them.
What a blessing it is to see children grow, even though the changes in them may seem imperceptible on a day to day basis, yet you see the progress they make as they grow. You may be a part of feeding, clothing and caring for them, maybe teaching them the things they need to know day by day. But, you cannot cause them to grow; only God can bring the increase!
The same holds true for spiritual growth. You may have the joy of seeing those you love grow in the Lord and all the while be busy doing your part in encouraging them and guiding them. Sometimes it can be disappointing, frustrating, almost devastating, when you work so hard at planting and watering only to see things not progressing as you know they should in a person’s life. Just be faithful to do your part and remember, it is God who brings the increase and it’s not over — He is still at work even when we can’t see any progress. You can plant a seed and not see anything happening under the surface of the ground but all the while God is at work causing that seed to grow. Trust God and give Him all of the glory and confess His Word by faith over those seeds. He will bring the increase!