THE SECRET PLACE (7)

“For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life” – Galatian 6:8

Every moment we spend in THE SECRET PLACE is an eternal investment: “Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life. And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart” (Gal.6: 7-9). In the Secret Place, we’re investing into eternal realities. However, a common challenge of Christians, concerning the Secret Place, is the feeling that our time in devotion is accomplishing nothing. It’s tempting, in those times of seeming feebleness, to just move on to something else.

Some Believers have become so discouraged with feelings of ineffectiveness that they have fallen into a slump of neglect. This Secret of Sowing should help to get back on track: When we sow to the Spirit by giving dedicated time to the Secret Place, we will reap Life eternal. This text doesn’t only apply to the grace of giving financially, it applies equally to the grace of seeking God in prayer and listening meditation.

Sowing in this wise refers to giving of our time to the Secret Place, establishing habits and patterns that enable us to spend significant time with God daily. Such sowing will produce positive, bountiful harvest in Faith-walk with Him. It will transform us and, in turn, begin to affect everything around us. Operating by this secret, we cannot give up the intensity of our pursuit of God. We’re able to take our focus off current frustrations and assert our confidence in God’s Word that a harvest will come our way, in time, if we persevere.

Rather than submitting to the notion that our time in the Secret Place is dull and uneventful, we can believe that it is indeed a powerful time with God. The actual impact of the Secret Place is usually not evident until later. We live in a culture that evaluates its priorities based upon immediate results. But, the race for “microwave” results can rob us of proper investment in the Secret Place. Our devotional life with God is more like the planting of a garden. When we arise from sowing, we may not always be able to point to instantaneous benefits.

What we sow today will require an entire season of growth for results. Sowing is usually mundane, boring, and menial. Authentic spiritual reaping is rarely instant; hence, the wise Believer will devote himself to arduous sowing, knowing that at the right time he will reap if he does not lose heart. God’s Word is powerful seed that will produce a mighty harvest if the heart’s soil is right. Whatever we do, we must not quit!