07 DECEMBER

THE MINT PLANT

“I planted the seed, Apollos watered it but God made it grow.”

(1 Corinthians 3:6, NIV)

I once asked our gardener to help me plant the mint plant, so I can have fresh mint tea as desired. I love teas, especially mint tea, after food. He did and planted it just the day before I travelled for a few weeks. No one watered it and by the time I came back, it was all shrivelled. I hoped against hope, put in manure, watered it but it was in vain. The mint plant was dead.

I bought another very small seedling, mixed the soil myself and watered it morning and evening. It was flourishing but as I noticed a few yellow leaves, I realised I needed more knowledge, so I read it up and found out that I needed to check moisture in the soil. That, I was already doing but decided to water it only three to four times a week. As I watched it flourish, I realised that I was not the actual one who determined its growth! I was only a servant assigned to the task of planting and watering which must be done with knowledge, for growth to take place.

Paul planted the seed of the gospel of Jesus Christ in people’s hearts and Apollos diligently watered it by teaching and encouraging the believers to stand firm and secure and grow in their faith. Each of us has an assignment with gifts and abilities and must search the Word for knowledge to work individually and as a team to build the Church of Christ to maturity.

ACTION: Labour to fulfil God’s will and not yours, and seek God’s approval, not man’s. 

PRAYERS: Strengthen me, Lord, to do all that you expect of me, while I await your intervention and blessings!