We are creatures of control. We love being able to control the things that are happening around us. Sometimes one of the hardest things for a human to do is to accept a gift because there is a feeling like you need to earn that gift. You want to have control over what you get.
Jesus uses a parable of a seed being planted to convict of this. After talking about where different seeds might fall and talking about the produce they may create from there he turns to the farmer and gives a glimpse into his role in all of this after planting the seed.
“He sleeps and rises night and day, and the seed sprouts and grows; he knows not how. The earth produces by itself, first the blade, then the ear, then the full grain in the ear. But when the grain is ripe, at once he puts in the sickle, because the harvest has come.”
How funny is it that God would give us so little control over how these seeds grow? We can certainly take steps to make that seed more likely to grow and be successful – planting in good soil, watering, etc. But in the end, God is the one who provides the growth. We can’t force the seed to grow.
Whether tying this to our own ministry efforts or you’re physically trying to plant a garden, there’s some peace (and probably frustration) in knowing, you’re not the one ultimately responsible. Or at least that you’re not responsible for every part. You can only be faithful in the areas that you have dominion over.