Be the Gardener of your Riding Goals
Be a gardener, not a machine.
This is something that I wish I had learned sooner in my faith journey. I had spent YEARS struggling to find that feeling of faith and belief everyone else was talking about. I went to Church, I prayed, and I felt completely alone in my faith. I knew that I had the strength to reach deeper into my faith and sow the things I was seeking, but I wasn't sure if it was meant to be.
I looked to other religions, spirituality, and into myself to try to find those missing pieces, and yet God was there every step of the way, reminding me that what I plant in him, I will reap. As I look towards my riding and career goals for 2024, it is important to remember that we will always reap what we sow.
Galations 6: 7-10
"7 Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. 8 Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. 9 Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. 10 Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers."
Don't be afraid to be a beacon of light in your community. You are ALWAYS going to come up against people with different opinions, ideas, and backgrounds as you. Use this as a point to start a conversation, walk in their shoes, and shed the light of Christ into their life.
It's okay if they look away, shield their eyes, or don't fully agree with you, stay with them as they continue to reap the seeds in their own life, and watch how the good ones you have sown begin to grow. Ask yourself, what is one situation where the love of God is shown through you into someone else's life?
Here are some examples of how you can reap what you sow:
Through the things you chose NOT to do
God challenges us to step out in faith, and acknowledge that we will reap what we sow. By choosing to focus on the things that no longer serve us, we can put our faith and trust in HIM. Maybe you chose to keep your mouth shut at the competition when someone commented on your tack, or did you choose not to write something on Facebook when a competitor of yours was bragging about something when you know you put in just as much work?
All of these things that you chose NOT to do can speak just as loudly as the things you chose to do.
2. Surround yourself with the right people
As they say, “Birds of a feather flock together”, so who is in your flock? While it doesn’t always seem like such a big deal, who you choose to surround yourself with is going to impact the choices you make and the actions you take. Surround yourself with riders who have reached the goal you are going for, support you in your journey, or have goals similar to you. Who you haul with can make the difference between a great run and a run that makes you dread the ride home.
3. Share your Story
While this may be the most obvious, sharing your experience is a great way to spread God’s life to others around you. It is through testimony that we are able to find Christians who are simillar to us, those who can guide us, and those who we can continue to uplift in our community. By sharing your story, you are adding to the power that God can have in someone’s life.
Galatians 6:7-10 reminds us of the principle of reaping what we sow. This passage encourages us to continue doing good, as we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. The benefits of applying this biblical principle to our lives is game changing. When we consistently sow seeds of kindness, generosity, and love, we can expect to reap blessings in due time. As we engage in acts of goodness, we not only positively impact others but also experience personal growth and fulfilment. As we seize opportunities to do good, we align ourselves with God's will and contribute to the betterment of the world around us. This passage serves as a powerful reminder of the significance of our actions and the rewards that await those who persist in doing what is right.
Sow the things that bring light to your spirit and joy to your heart. In Galatians 6: 7-10, we are reminded to do good to ALL people, not just believers. So, take a moment to reflect on the things that you sow in your life. Do they bring you joy and uplift you, or do you find yourself always asking God for more? Remember, what you consistently invest your time in will bear fruit. Don’t settle for mediocre fruit; pursue those things that consistently bring joy and good fruit into your life.
What is one thing you can sow today to reap God-given joy, success, and abundance?