allume

real light living

Greatness from Small Beginnings

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I held a seed in my hand as did each student in class. We discussed how God created it to lay dormant, to be nourished, even in darkness, to have a season, to sprout, to grow and produce. “We can’t look at the seed, wish it to grow or say, ‘Grow seed. Grow,’ and make it grow,” says the 10 year old boy who speaks wisdom.

I think about my blog. I ponder the small size of it, of seeds, how they grow, and the wonder of it all. And I measure my growth in unfollows, unlikes and unsubscribes, yet only God knows what greatness the small beginning will ultimately produce. No earthly standard of measure could tell me that.

“Anyone can count the number of seeds in an apple, 

but only God can count the number of apples in a seed.” Robert H. Schuller

So, why do I worry about or try and manipulate my blog’s growth? I must do my part to cultivate, plant, water and let the light shine. Then trust God to do His part. It’s a process, always.

Sometimes, I busy myself making improvements to my blog, and apply myself to developing my craft. I navigate the lines of the world wide web trying to find my place, and I should. Blogs don’t just happen, they take effort. But I cannot neglect the work to prepare my own heart for growth. This is the time of cultivating.

It’s time to dig deeper. I open up and give God unhindered access to shine light on my heart. (2 Cor 4:6, John 3:21) He brings out what was once hidden in darkness, and makes me to be a light-bearer, puts me on a stand and says, “It’s time to shine!” His Son’s light shining bright.

I am devoted to prayer, study, and writing–all soul labor of writing true. I sow the Word-seed into the soil of my heart. (Mark 4:8)  I scatter seeds for others–sharing others words, posts and books, giving support, offering grace through words that encourage and giving my time, knowing it’s more blessed to give than receive. This is the time of planting.

And then, I must wait. This is not the time to dig up the seeds. It’s quiet. He is quiet. It’s long, slow and seems like nothing is happening. Yet, God is working behind the scenes beyond my scope, orchestrating the details of my life for His purpose, and continuing the work deep within. Yielding, so that I might yield. This is the darkness of dormancy.

Sometimes, I am parched and starved. I drink deeply of the living water so that it becomes a spring welling up to life eternal. (John 4:14) I feast on the Words of God, to sustain me and to have living bread to offer His sheep. (John 21:17, Matt 4:4) This is the time to be nourished.

And then I see what I hoped for, sprouts and new growth. It’s what I pray for and labor for, but I cannot force. I can only trust God to do His part, while I do mine. He causes the increase. For that, I cannot take the glory. “So neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow.” (1 Cor 3:7 NIV) It is time for the harvest.

No matter where I am in the process, I do not have to wonder how make my blog grow, and neither do you.

Do your part, and “God will make it happen, for He who calls you is faithful.” (1Thess 5:24 NLT)

 

Comments

  1. I get this my friend. I SOOO get this! We have to follow His lead, His will for our blogs and wait. Not always an easy thing for sure. I love this reminder: ““God will make it happen, for He who calls you is faithful.” Beautifully written Michele. Thank you for this.

    • Mary,

      Yes, I am still learning to lean everyday. I am learning to surrender all the parts of my life, not just blogging. Those parts that my hands only make a mess of. He is much better at handling things anyway 🙂 Thank you for your encouragement and support, always, friend.

  2. Your points resonate so soundly with me! I just love these two moments:

    I must do my part to cultivate, plant, water and let the light shine. Then trust God to do His part. It’s a process, always.

    and

    But I cannot neglect the work to prepare my own heart for growth.

    Zing.

    We have such an impatience to plant seeds today and then expect a harvest shortly thereafter. We look at those orchards around us and compare, thinking we can’t possibly be as fruitful. Worse yet, we may think we just don’t deserve to be so incredibly blessed. I am reminded of what I read this morning in my Jesus Calling Devotional: “…no one deserves anything from Me. My kingdom is not about earning and deserving; it’s about believing and receiving.

    • Kim,

      Thank you for leaving such wisdom here. I love the excerpt you left. And thank you for your sweet encouragement. I was rather nervous writing here 🙂

      • You were nervous? It never showed. Always enlightening for me to see that writers who seem to be further along the path than I still suffer from pangs of nervousness, etc.

        I guess we all need reminding often that we’re in God’s hands and good company. 🙂

    • Andrea,

      Oh, yes. Sometimes the greatest and hardest work is in the yielding, but it’s where we see the most fruit. Thank you for you sweet words 🙂

  7. Oh, thank you so much for writing this. I’m in a season of growing and waiting right now, and sometimes it’s not so easy. But I know it’s good for me, and this was a swift reminder of that 🙂

    • Katie,

      His way is so much better than our own, isn’t it? I am so grateful for that 🙂 But still, it is not easy. I journey with you in trusting He holds all of it in His capable hands!

  8. Well looky here…lovely my friend…and yes..keep planting and growing your heart with Him…and let Him grow the rest…blessings to you Michele~

  9. Just yesterday I was thinking about how hard it is to trust God with things that I “know” would be for my good. I KNOW that my children should follow God, but it is so hard to trust Him with their future. I KNOW that having plenty of money would free us up to bless others, but I don’t like having to rely on the grace of God to provide for us. I KNOW that growth for my blog would bring Him much glory, but I don’t want to submit to His timing.

    Thank you for the timely reminder that yielding fruit is only possible when I yield my hopes and dreams (even the really good ones) to God’s will. I think I need to become more focused on the planting, watering, waiting. And I need to trust in God for the increase that He desires.

    • Amy,

      Oh, you said this so very well. Thank you for sharing your heart. I am with you in all of this. Especially, the part about the children. As we continue to walk in surrender and obedience, God will bring the blessing and the growth — though not always how we imagined. Every gift from Him is good 🙂

  11. Michele — SO blessed by this today. I’m in a season of far-fewer-than-in-the-past bookings for w/ speaking ministry, and I thought that meant something about me for far longer than I’d like to admit. Finally woke up to the fact that it means something about God’s plans for me! He’s given me time to soak in some wonderful training and slowly put it into practice without the distraction of trying to get ready for anything or anyone…just Him and me. It’s been so sweet, but I almost missed it worrying about what I thought I should be doing, based on what “everyone else” or “the successful ones” are doing.

    • Cheri,

      Oh, it is so easy to think there is something wrong with us when we see changes. I didn’t even talk about it this post, but the pruning process is a real one, isn’t it? It also part of growing, but it doesn’t always feel good. I love the proclamation of truth you share, too! I’m with you 🙂

  12. Thank you for this timely post! I have blogged for years, but only a few weeks ago I launched my new blog for women. I have found my ‘niche’ and the journey to this point was most definitely led and blessed by God. While I’m excited, I realize that its success is all in God’s hands. Thanks for the reminder to nurture a growing relationship with God above all else!!

    • Leah,

      What exciting times for you! I have no doubt that your success will be as sure as your obedience to God. Blessings on your new endeavor! 🙂

  13. Such a good reminder that we are in God’s capable hands. All we’re asked is to be faithful with our little bit. Then to trust in His timing, faithfulness, and love that is greater than we can imagine!

  15. What a good word! This is why I felt God leading me to remove the comment section from my blog. I was too focused on the number of comments and the stats. God will lead people to read, to be encouraged, to spread the words He gives me to write. IF…I seek Him, obey Him, and let the Holy Spirit give me the words to say. He must increase. I must decrease. Thank you for this confirmation.

    • Donna,

      I could not have said it any better myself. I understand and agree with you in all of it. Especially the, “He must increase. I must decrease,” part. Thank you for sharing with us 🙂

  16. Beautiful Words my friend! I have taken a blogging break since Allume. I am not present on my blog, and my “numbers” have been increasing daily. Not my work, but His surely. Your words here will bless many! Much love.

  19. I really needed this. I am a small blogger and I like it that way, but its really nice to know that with planting a seed, it will grow with Jesus. Thank you for sharing, sweet girl!

    • Kat,

      Oh, thank you 🙂 It is wisdom that I am still learning to apply to my own walk and life. I am thankful for the One who leads us into all truth. I am also thankful for you 🙂

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