Christ Uses Us, God Brings the Growth

Christ Uses Us, God Brings the Growth 
By: Mike Wallace, Congregational Vice President 

Have you ever felt like evangelism is just too much to do? Or, just too hard by yourself? Maybe you feel that evangelism depends solely on you and you’re not ready . . . you’re just too scared? 

You're not alone in any of that. And thankfully, you're not meant to do it all on your own, it takes all of us. We each have a part in Outreach and Evangelism . . . we in the Church each have a part. 

In 1 Corinthians 3:7, St. Paul reminds us: “So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God who gives the growth” This verse lifts the pressure off our shoulders. It’s not all up to you. We each have a part, we each share and spread the word, we all water in our actions and we shine the needed light. 

God is the one who brings growth in faith and love. That’s His role. Ours is simply to take small, faithful steps planting seeds of love, truth, kindness, and encouragement. We can think of Galatians 5:22-23 “But the fruit of the Spirit is Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness, Self -Control; against such things there is no law.” 

And here’s the beautiful part: We don’t do this by ourselves. Evangelism isn’t a solo act, it’s a shared mission of all of us. Across the world, in our neighborhoods and communities, believers are living this out together in our daily lives. You might plant, someone else might water, we all shine, but God is the one who moves hearts and fills them with the Spirit to grow and then plant the next seed. 

So what could this look like for you today? It could be sending a friendly message or a Bible verse to a friend you know; maybe it is offering to pray for someone for any reason you feel; inviting someone to Church or a fellowship event; or just opening up about how Jesus has changed your life with someone you meet. God uses simple, faithful acts in powerful ways. 

Take the pressure off. You don’t need to do everything-- just do something. You’re not alone, and the outcome isn’t all on you. One of us plants, another one may water, and we all shine the light, but God brings the growth. 

Prayer 
Jesus, Thank You that sharing the gospel is not all up to me. You are the one who brings growth, who changes hearts, who saves. Help me to take a simple step today to plant a seed, speak with kindness, or show Your Love in some small way. Give me Faith to trust You with what happens next, And remind me I'm part of something so much bigger than myself. I know it’s all about You Jesus and Your Love. Amen