I enjoyed the moments that I got to travel around the beautiful landscape of Kenya and appreciate the culture as a tourist. I went to the Equator (and I have a cool certificate to prove it). I went to the 9600 km long Great Rift Valley. I rode a camel at Thomson Falls. One thing that I was fortunate enough to do was plant a tree. I planted a TREE in the soil of Kenya. How many can say that they physically planted a tree on another continent? I named the tree maisha which means life in Swahili. (Quick shoutout to all the Maisha's I know). I named the tree maisha because I knew that it would continue to bring forth life without my interference.
Thinking back about that joyful experience in the NBOI forest, I am reminding of the verse from 1 Corinthians 3: 6-9:
I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God has been making it grow. So neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow. The one who plants and the one who waters have one purpose, and they will each be rewarded according to their own labor. For we are co-workers in God’s service; you are God’s field, God’s building.
Without my interference, the tree would grow and continue to be a living thing not because of my planting or watering. It would grow because God was in control. In the same way, we have a responsibility as Christians, as believers. Sometimes God will call us to plant the seed. Other times, you will be Apollos and water the seed. But we must always remember that apart from God, we are useless. We must remind ourselves that God in His sovereignty causes the growth. Our planting and our watering only has purpose when we work alongside of God's plan.
Be obedient to God in whether He has commanded you to plant or water. Humble yourselves before God, also recognizing that He causes the growth.
Special thanks to Jayne and Edward with Flying Fish Mission Tours. Check them out for your next trip: http://flyingfishmissiontours.com
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