day 231: Planting Seeds

It's a common phrase that we hear frequently at work; "I just want to plant a seed with you". When you dissect this and think about it this can be an interesting statement that someone makes. They can actually mean one of a few different things. They might be meaning that they are want to give you a positive idea and they want you to hear it first. They might have an idea that is brewing in their head and they want to use you as a sounding board. Or, they might be thinking something totally different and wanting to start a rumor or put a thought of doubt about someone or something else in your head so that the seed can germinate with you and and you take on the doubtful or suspicious thought. I also find it interesting that we say we want to plant a seed, one seed, when in reality anyone knows that one seed doesn't usually take care of the job. Regardless, people are planting seeds all the time at work and it is important that we recognize the difference in positive and negative ideas and thoughts and how these are managed. It seems to be a tendency at work to plant negative seeds about each other so that we get ahead by tearing down someone else, or look better with the boss, or get the upper-hand or edge on the others around us. And, it is so easy to fall into proliferating these thoughts and words when we allow for others to drop and plant their seeds with us. That is not the ground that God wants us to till and fertilize. God wants us to plant a different type of seed on our jobs. He wants us to be seen as caring, loving, forgiving, approachable, merciful and gracious, all while standing for values and principles that are His. When we do that He asks us to not plant one seed, but many. Paul says this to us in 2 Corinthians: "Remember this- a farmer who plants only a few seeds will get a small crop. But the one who plants generously will get a generous crop." So today, as you head back to the fields of your work, sow and plant the right seeds with assurance, confidence and faith that the holy seeds that you plant generously will take hold and be of great and positive consequence to many.

Reference: 2 Corinthians 9:6 (New Living Testament)