We are about halfway through winter and so far, where we are in Idaho, winter has been mild. I have walked a bit around the neighborhood in the afternoons, usually with just a sweater or light jacket. We have seen little in the way of freezing temperatures, icy roads, or snow in the valley. The mountains, however, have a good snowpack going so water should be plentiful for the farmers when it comes time to sow their seed.
There are many farms around where we live, although they are becoming fewer as people move into the Treasure Valley. Subdivisions are scooping up any available land. Still, close to us this spring we will see corn growing, alongside pumpkins, sugar beets, alfalfa, beans, mint, and lots of onions.
I like to watch after the farmers sow their seed and see what crop will come up in that field. I especially like the mint fields in the summer when the sun comes up and warms the plants. The mint gives off the most wonderful fragrance.
Paul, in the closing of his letter to the Galatians talks about sowing and reaping. He begins by reminding his readers that God will not permit Himself to be mocked. “Don’t be deceived: God is not mocked. For whatever a man sows he will also reap, because the one who sows to his flesh will reap corruption from the flesh, but the one who sows to the Spirit will reap eternal life from the Spirit.” [Galatians 6:7-8 HCSB]
That word “mocked” means to turn up the nose, to turn away to sneer, or scornfully disdain. Paul also adds the admonishment that whatever we sow, we will also reap. If we continually plant seed in our life that feeds only our flesh, we will reap death. But if we plant spiritual seed—sowing to the Spirit—we will reap the reward of eternal life.
Every day we make choices. Those choices will either nourish our flesh or nourish our spirit. Those choices will lead us away from God or closer to Him. Those choices will either mock God or honor Him.