Women On The Frontlines: A Call To CompassionSample

It’s got to be Personal

I (James) grew up in a rural area of Missouri. In my growing up years each spring, under the direction of my parents and together with my sisters, I helped plant many gardens. Later, in July and August, I would weed many rows of corn, potatoes, green beans, tomatoes, and many other colorful and leafy vegetables. I often wondered why I had to work so hard in the hot and humid weather, but when fall and winter arrived, I understood and appreciated why I did so. My mom made the best vegetable soup and, to this day, I can still taste it.

I learned a great deal from the principle of seedtime and harvest from those garden experiences, and later in life found it to be one of the major guiding biblical principles as well—there is great power in the hidden seeds that are planted in God’s good earth.

Our job, as believers, is to plant seeds of compassion in a personal way wherever we go. We plant the seeds, and God gives the harvest. This is just as true in the spiritual realm as it is in the natural. As we sow seeds of compassion into the lives of others, we look to God to water, cultivate, groom, and prune the emerging seedlings so they will bring forth fruitfulness in due season in the lives of those to whom we minister. There is phenomenal power in the hidden seed.

All too often, we focus on the gigantic exploits that are done by great people of faith, but we must never forget that little acts of love and kindness often precede public displays of power. Each of us must go through a hidden preparation period in which we learn how to walk in compassion and, as in any process, we must take “baby steps” at first. This is the seed-planting stage.

Do you want to make a difference in the world? Then be different from others by walking in compassion wherever you are. Plant seeds of mercy in soil of desperate people’s lives. People will see the difference, and they will want to have what you have. Not only that, but they will receive what they need through the grace on your life.