I cannot grow plants.
It's true that I'm not very good at gardening, or even at caring for house plants. But that's not what I mean. Even if I do remember to water them, put them in the right place, prune them, leave them alone when they need it - I can't make them grow. I cannot turn my care of the plant into cellulose and chlorophyll.
Which is also one of the most humbling, frustrating and relieving aspects of pastoral ministry.
What, after all, is Apollos? And what is Paul? Only servants through whom you came to believe - as the Lord has assigned to each his task. 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 3:5-6)
As I say, this is at once frustrating and a massive relief. I can spend time with someone, explaining to them the gospel of Christ. I can answer their questions, suggest other questions they should be asking, look at the Bible with them, lead people through courses like Christianity Explored. All of that is a lot of planting the seed and watering it, and they are good things to do.
But none of those activities actually do anything. Only God, who makes things grow. At the end of the day I have to leave what happens to those seeds to God.
I cannot grow plants.
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