Impact Is God’s Problem

Verse of the Week

“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.” 1 Corinthians 3:6-7

I recently returned from ten days in the Dominican Republic, where I was flown in as “Professor Dan” to teach at three conferences. I’ve never really felt adequate to teach others, so you can imagine how that title sat with me.

Here’s one thing that threw me. At home, I can read a room pretty easily. I know when a point lands and when someone has quietly checked out. In the DR I was speaking through interpreters (easier for me in Spanish than in Haitian Creole), and I couldn’t tell. Was anything getting through? I had no idea.

Then I remembered something I’ve been teaching for years: we are 100% accountable for our obedience and 0% accountable for the results. We do what God has called us to do and leave the rest to Him. God hasn’t called me to make an impact for Him. He has called me to obey Him.

Paul does the same math in Corinthians. The planter is nothing. The waterer is nothing. Only God makes things grow.

That might be the thing you need this week, too. Maybe you’re raising a stubborn kid, or being kind to a coworker who never says thanks, or praying for someone who hasn’t budged in years. You may never get to see the growth. Your job is the planting and the watering. The growing is God’s problem, and I find that a great relief.

P.S. The best part of the trip turned out to be my interpreters, Wood and Carlos. You prepare while thinking about the people you’re speaking to, not the people you’re speaking through. I had no idea those two friendships might be the most important part of the trip.

Be encouraged,

dan