Leading For Growth

Have you ever spent much time watching things grow? I have. I really enjoy the whole process: cultivating, planting, pruning and harvesting. For most of the produce that we grow in Maine the growing season is relatively short; we get fruit for our labor in just a few short months. There are times, though, that it seems like nothing is happening. I have three Honey Crisp apple trees at my home that I have been working with now for six or seven years, and they have still not produced a single apple. I have fed, pruned, and cared for these trees consistently over the years, knowing that the day is coming when they will blossom and produce beautiful fruit.
This is so much like leading people; we put all this work into people and expect a great return for our effort.  Our mission is to sow and water the seed of the Word of God; the rest of the work is done by the Spirit of God. I often find myself as a leader forgetting to do my part and trying to do God’s part.
How about you ?

1 Corinthians 3:6
“I(Paul) planted the seeds in your heart, Apollos watered it, but it was God who made it grow.” NLT

-Pastor Tim