It’s planting season once again in many countries. In fact, some farmers, gardeners, and community agriculturalists have already finished planting seeds for this year’s crops – with hopes of a good harvest. Incidentally, planting a seed means the death of a seed. And from this “death” comes new life. Subsequently, what is the cycle of a seed? And how could information like this affect your daily life?
Let’s look at the cycle of a seed.
A Garden – Planted A Bit Late
One year when my family moved, we were a month late putting our vegetable garden in. Still, God blessed our late-planting. Despite the lateness of getting seeds in the ground, at harvest we joyfully picked beans. Further, we clipped herbs of all kinds. Then, we “ooo’d” and “awe’d” over huge red tomatoes. Simultaneously, we nurtured tiny squashes another day or two till they reached full size. Cucumbers large and small became lunch items. Green onions spruced up our salads. Truly, we were thankful for God’s bounty – and for the cycle of a seed.
Similar to the cycle of a seed – dying, first – then rising up into a healthy vegetable or flower garden, there’s a cycle of a seed in our lives. This isn’t nearly as simple as planting a garden. Nevertheless, there are similar concepts –
- Planting.
- A seed dying.
- Tiny signs of new growth rising up.
- The miracle of growth into maturity.
- Delightful, multiplied harvest.
Interestingly, that entire process involves planting seeds.
Perhaps we should ponder a bit more about seeds we plant in our daily lives.
The Cycle of a Seed
In 1 Cor. 15, Paul teaches basic doctrine about seeds. Strategically, he takes time to identify God’s design of living things. In essence, he reflects on the seeds of God’s various species and categories. From plants to animal flesh to birds and to fish. The seed of humanity is its own variety. Even the heavens have seeds of splendor – sun, moon and stars that each differ from another, yet are of similar kind.
This division of creation provides a simple teaching – each seed has its own kind. For example, you plant tomato seeds. You get a tomato plant – and tomatoes. And so forth.
Resurrection
Paul also uses seeds to teach about the resurrection from death. This seems a bit more unusual when contemplating the cycle of a seed. But, if you follow his illustration, it fits beautifully.
Interestingly, Paul embraces the whole idea of death. That inevitable reality that has invaded the human species. And through this invasion – which was the result of sinning against God – all creation has fallen into death and decay.
Actually, it seems utterly wrong that people should suffer and succumb to death. This was never God’s plan for people or creation. In fact, God, Himself, declares – “God has also set eternity in the human heart . . . ” (Ecc.3:11b) In other words, God designed people to live forever. Eternity was our destiny before sin.
When the physical body dies, an invisible spirit associated with each person’s natural body separates from the physical. Certainly, there is sadness surrounding death. Not only is it not supposed to be this way. There is painful loss of relationship and companionship with death.
Additionally, the process of death is dishonorable to a race created to live forever. Death is also weakness. (Both ideas in 1 Cor. 15:43.) Thankfully, Jesus changed that. When He overcame death through His own resurrection, He initiated the planting of our natural body at the time of death. Then the miracle of a seed takes place. As the physical body is sown in death, it is given over to a new, resurrected body – for those who believe on Jesus.
God raises something glorious and powerful out of what was sown in dishonor and weakness (out of death, sin patterns, etc.). Subsequently, whoever adopts this intervention from God participates in His transformation of their life from mortal to immortal. (1 Cor. 15:42-44)
What’s The Good Part?
You gain a whole new life through an incredible kind-of garden (God’s planting) in Heaven. And – apparently – it’s pretty amazing! “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived the things God has prepared for those who love Him. . .” (1 Cor. 2:9; Is. 64:4) So, this first reality has to do with eternal existence in an amazing eternal domain.
The second idea about the cycle of a seed refers to daily life here on earth. So much of life is planting. We put many kinds of seeds into the soil of life each day with hopes for growth and harvest.
Here are some examples of plantings:
- Education.
- Habits and patterns.
- Healthy communication.
- Enduring relationships.
- Applied messages from Scripture.
- Practice of joy.
- Surviving through hard times.
- Responding with Christ-like character to rise above even stressful scenarios.
- Serving others above self.
- Putting God’s Kingdom first over personal agenda.
- Love for God more than any other.
Seeds are sown in so many domains. Unless good seed is selected, planted, and properly tended, there won’t be a good crop. Bad seeds yield a harvest of weeds. So, be careful what you plant in the soil of your life. Seeds grow into something.
God designed the “cycle of a seed” even in life situations. So – what’s growing in your life?
Seeds Are Miracles
The death of a seed brings a whole new plant. Interestingly, this new plant is the miracle of what’s inside the seed. But multiplied into a glorious harvest that brings nourishment and joy.
Consider a tomato seed. It’s a tiny, dried-up little fleck. However, you lay it in the ground, cover it, water it, and let it die . . . and the miracle happens. A few days after, a tiny beautiful green sprout of new life springs out of the ground from that seed.
If you dig the ground up where you planted the tiny tomato seed, you see a new plant is definitely associated with the seed – new life flourishing out of death. This little seedling grows into a strong, large green plant with appealing aroma. Blossoms form and become tiny round green fruit. Then, that fruit grows and ripens until you have luscious, red tomatoes large enough to slice and lay on a BLT! (bacon, lettuce, tomato sandwich) Indeed, this is an incredible miracle.
Little things grow into surprisingly big things. So, be sure you plant quality seeds in your life.
The Seed And Death
God’s wisdom in creation makes it possible for good things to rise up from death. Particularly, and most dear to His own heart, involves His people who were never meant to die.
Jesus secured – through His life, death, and resurrection – that a human seed dies and brings forth incredible new life – everlasting. Only the Creator, in wisdom before creation, makes something terrible into something great.
By the way, Jesus is the Creator. Jn. 1:1-3 says Jesus is the Word, and He was with God from the beginning. Further, it is through Jesus that all things were created! Check it out!
Christ’s cross makes it possible for anyone who believes on Him to live forever. Those who don’t believe remain shriveled seeds, locked in the process of death. How very sad. No wonder God is patient in returning to earth. He doesn’t want anyone to be locked in the process of death.
Consider these Scriptures:
- “It is not the will of My Father who is in heaven that one of these little ones should perish.” (Mt. 18:14)
- “The Lord is not slow in keeping His promise . . . Instead, He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.” (2 Pet. 3:9)
The cycle of a seed is an amazing apology (a defense) about God’s omniscience, mercy, and His willingness to provide second chances. As Lord of the harvest, God is always looking forward into possibilities.
Are you looking forward into possibilities? Do you need a second chance?
Application Thoughts And Questions
What kind of garden are you planting in your life?- How are you tending your life garden? Consider daily investments and faithful nurturing of seeds planted in the soil of your life.
- Do you believe God can raise a bountiful crop through your life?
- If you need a second chance – or maybe more – will you trust God to raise up a harvest of good as you change what you’re planting?
- How can you partner in nurturing what pleases God in your life?
- Do you look forward into possibilities as you walk with God?
- Is it “front-of-mind” that your relationship with God is your most valuable planting?
- Always remember – you are a seed.
* Portions of this content came from our book – e-Pistles For An i-Generation Relevant In A Digital Age – a devotional book that takes you through 1 and 2 Corinthians. You’ll find practical action points that help you know God better and nurture personal growth. You can find this book in our bookstore: www.aliveandactivelife.org/store.
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