PLANTING THE SEED OF A HURRICANE
BY G.R. TRAVIS – MISSISSIPPI DISTRICT SUPERINTENDENT
In Hosea chapter 8 God is upset with Israel. Because of rebellion, He warned of approaching judgment. Hosea 8:7 makes it clear that what seemed a slight breeze while sowing would be a hurricane when reaped.
The kind of seed we plant determines the harvest. Galatians 6:7 “…whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap” tells us that we reap in kind, not in the proportions that we sow. When we sow corn, we reap corn. However, we may sow one grain of corn and reap a thousand grains.
Genesis 1:11 ‘And God said, Let the earth bring forth grass, the herb yielding seed, and the fruit tree yielding fruit after his kind, whose seed is in itself.. “Each seed we plant will multiply, after its kind and come back to us in God’s own time and way.
Things that seem small and insignificant often make a great impact. Little things are the ground work for bigger things. When I was about six years old I decided I wanted a pecan tree. I am not sure what motivated me to do it, but I vividly remember digging a hole and planting a pecan. As I reflect on that even in my early childhood, it is clear to me now that God used it to teach me a great lesson about one of His laws: “The Law of the Harvest.” A short time after planting the pecan, a small tree came up. To protect it I drove stakes around it. I cared for it and monitored its growth regularly. This was my tree and I wanted it to grow to its full potential. Later we moved to another location. By that time it was a healthy tree.
A few years later we returned to the old home place and my pecan tree was producing pecans. Even though I was not there to enjoy the fruit of my efforts, I had great joy in knowing that the abundant supply of pecans was there because I planted one seed.
Unfortunately, some seeds that are planted will not bring joy in the time of harvest. “For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting. And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith” Galatians 6:8-10.
Numbers 16 tells the sad story of four men with an altitude problem Korah, Dathan, Abiram and On. They rebelled against God’s appointed leader, Moses. And they rose up before Moses, with certain of the children of Israel, two hundred and fifty princes of the assembly, famous in the congregation, men of renown: And they gathered themselves together against Moses and against Aaron, and said unto them, Ye take too much upon you, seeing all the congregation are holy, every one of them, and the Lord is among them: wherefore then lift ye up yourselves above the congregation of the Lord?” Numbers 16:2,3
These four men evidently thought it was a small thing to refuse to submit to God’s leadership. Perhaps they thought their action was only a gentle breeze blowing. Moses said in verse nine, “Seemeth it but a small thing unto you…?” What they did not realize was that they were planting the seed of a hurricane. What started out as a wrong attitude resulted in more than 15,000 people being destroyed (Numbers 16:32, 35,48).
Submission to leadership is not an option, but a mandate from God. A man who attended the church I pastored continually created problems. Eventually I met with him and discussed the situation. In my attempt to rehabilitate him I said, “If the Bible is right, and I know it is, you have some reaping to do. According to Galatians 6:7 you will reap what you sow.”
Years later, I pastored another church and this man was also a pastor. While on vacation he came to my house and apologized for the problems he had created and I gladly accepted his apology. The next year, again on vacation, he came to my house and apologized again. I said, “Brother, you do not owe me any more apologies, you are forgiven. I hold nothing against you.” The next year he came again and said, “You will never forgive me for what I did, will you?” I responded, “Brother, you grieve me. Please believe me. I have forgiven you.” He said, “You were my pastor for about one and one half years. I have been reaping for seven years and I am still reaping.” He was truly sorry for his actions; however, that did not keep him from reaping. After planting the seed, it is futile to pray for a crop failure. He had planted the seed of rebellion and now he was reaping the harvest: a hurricane.
Another man who refused to submit to leadership came to me in tears and said, “Please try to help my wayward child.” I put forth my best effort, but I was not successful. The dad had killed my influence. Regardless of your role of leadership, when you refuse to submit, it has a trickle down effect. It affects those you attempt to lead. While he was gossiping and tearing down his pastor, perhaps it seemed to him like a gentle breeze blowing, but through his wayward child he reaped a hurricane.
One of the many things I appreciate about the United Pentecostal Church is that we promote the Biblical principle of everyone being accountable. Those who refuse to submit to God-given< or delegated leadership plant the seed of a hurricane. It has been well .said. “We teach what we know, but -we reproduce what we are:” ..God’s Word is clear that we reap. (in kind-not in proportions) what we sow Sow to the wind and you reap a hurricane.
Compromise begins small. First you violate your conscience and the guiding principles of your life in small matters. In the beginning perhaps no one knows it but you; however, you know it and you lose respect for yourself. Soon your family and close associates know it and they lose confidence in you. Eventually others know, because when you start down the road of error the end of it is destruction. In the beginning it seems so small to violate your conscience just a gentle breeze blowing but you are planting the seed of a hurricane.
Rejecting the message of God’s servant may seem insignificant (a slight breeze), but a look at Acts 27 reveals otherwise. Paul was placed on a ship sailing for Italy. Under Divine inspiration he warned against sailing at that time. “Nevertheless the centurion believed the master and the owner of the ship, more than those things which were spoken by Paul. And when the south wind blew softly, supposing that they had obtained their purpose, losing thence, they sailed close by Crete. But not long after there arose against it a tempestuous wind, called Euroclydon. And when the ship was caught, and could not bear up into the wind, we let her drive” (Acts 27:11, 13-15). They planted the seed of rejection (south wind blew softly). The harvest was Euroclydon (a hurricane).
Haaman’s seed of hatred produced a hurricane that took him to the gallows he had built for Mordecai. Judas sold Jesus for 30 pieces of silver. His seed of greed produced a hurricane of suicide. Sampson planted the seed of lust. It produced a hurricane that left him blind, grinding at the mill and being made fun of by the enemies of God’s people. Abraham’s seed of doubt produced Ishmael and after thousands of years the hurricane still rages in the Middle East.
Every thought, word and action is as seed that will spring up. We will reap according to what we sow. Every moment increases our treasure or wrath. Yet, it is comforting to know that as God’s children we have a shelter in Jesus Christ. We do not have to experience these dreadful calamities. Ephesians 5:15 states: “See then that ye talkcircumspectly, not as fools, but as wise. ”
THE ABOVE MATERIAL WAS PUBLISHED BY THE LOUISIANA CHALLENGER, 2002, PAGES 12-13.
THIS MATERIAL IS COPYRIGHTED AND MAY BE USED FOR STUDY & RESEARCH PURPOSES ONLY.
