I planted the seed....

Today while planting flowers, veggies, and herbs I couldn't help but think of people.
People, you ask? What do tomato plants and petunias have to do with people? That's a great question!
As my friend Chelsea and I were digging in my small garden area I was commenting on how bad the soil looked. It was somewhat rocky, sandy, and I didn't see one worm. That can't be a good sign. But we planted anyway.
We worked the ground by turning it and flipping it with shovels. With love, we put those plants into the ground, gave them a pep talk, and covered them over. I later went out and gave them some fresh water. I will now watch them grow and produce. My work is not done with these plants though. I can't simply throw them in the ground, water them once, and turn my back and expect good fruit... or veggies.
I have to care for them by pulling weeds and continuing to water them daily as the sun beats down on them.

This is the same thing we must do with people that we are building relationships with. We have to cultivate their hearts and get the soil ready for planting seeds. The parable of the sower comes to mind right about now. Read Mark 4 to refresh your mind on that one.
It is our job as Christians to make relationships with others and to build into them creating disciples. This is a process and sometimes a very draining one. We can't just lead people to Jesus and walk away. We must pull weeds from their lives that are choking them and killing them.
We have to be willing to water and feed them so they can grow. As Scott Haulter says when it comes to sharing Jesus with people:
'there's OUR job, THEIR job, and GOD's job.' I love this!
It's hard for me to not carry the burden of rescuing people who don't want rescued. And leading people who don't want to follow. I must remember that I can only do my part. 1 Corinthians 3:6 I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God has been making it grow.
YOU have a part too!! Plant the seed......