Sow, Water, Harvest, Cultivate: Discovering Your Role in God's Kingdom
The desire to find our purpose, that distinct way we fit into God's plan, is a deep yearning that resonates within the heart of nearly every believer. The Bible talks about different "callings"—unique ways God equips and purposes us to serve within His family and out in the world. Sometimes, these terms like "apostle" or "prophet" can sound a bit formal, maybe even a little intimidating. But what if we looked at them in a way that feels less like a job title and more like a vital function in a God’s kingdom.
The Bible says that we are God’s garden. To get the garden just right there needs to be all sorts of people in order for it to flourish. Some to plant the seeds, others to water them, some to gather the harvest, and still others to tend and nurture the growing plants. That's how God's Kingdom works. Let's walk through some of these essential roles and see if anything resonates with the way God might be stirring in your heart.
Here is a list of each role and their first thought about God’s garden:
The apostle: "Sow every seed!"
The prophet: "Water every seed!"
The evangelist: "Harvest everything that's been sown!"
The pastor: "Cultivate every tree!"
The teacher: "Learn to sow, water, harvest and cultivate!"
The saint: "Enjoy every season!"
The Apostle: Seed Sower
The apostle is the pioneer, the one with a vision to plant seeds of faith in new places, among people who might not have heard the Good News yet. The word "apostle" itself means "one sent forth," and when you look at figures like the original twelve disciples chosen by Jesus (Matthew 10), or Paul, who had that incredible encounter with Christ on the road to Damascus (Acts 9), you see this spirit in action. They were foundation-layers of the early Church (Ephesians 2:20), often backed up by undeniable signs and wonders (2 Corinthians 12:12).
It takes faith it took to step into the unknown, to share a message that might be met with resistance or even hostility. Apostles are the ones who venture out, driven by a desire to see God's Kingdom expand. Does that resonate with a stirring in you to start something new for Jesus, to reach out to those who are far from God but don’t even know it?
The Prophet: The Waterer
After a seed is planted it needs nourishment. That's where the prophet comes in. Prophets are those who hear God's heart and speak His truth into the present moment. Think of powerful voices throughout scripture, like Isaiah or Jeremiah in the Old Testament, or John the Baptist and Agabus in the New. Their messages weren't always easy to hear; sometimes it was encouragement, sometimes correction, but it was always about guiding people back to God's path. The gift of prophecy is mentioned in the New Testament (1 Corinthians 12:10, Ephesians 4:11).
Being a prophet isn't just about predicting the future; it's about having such a close connection with God that you can articulate His perspective with clarity and grace, nurturing the seeds of faith that have been planted. Do you find yourself deeply moved to speak truth into situations, sensing God's leading and wanting to share it with others?
The Evangelist: The Harvester
Imagine the excitement of seeing a field ripe for harvest! That's the heart of an evangelist. These are the folks who have a contagious passion for sharing the Good News of Jesus in a way that draws people in and leads to them saying "yes!" Think of Philip in Acts 8 or Timothy, an evangelistic pastor, whom Paul encouraged to do that work (2 Timothy 4:5). Their focus is on proclaiming the message of salvation with enthusiasm, gathering in the fruit of the seeds that have been sown.
Do you have a burning desire to tell others about Jesus? Are you energized by opportunities to share your faith and see people come to know Him? That might just be the evangelist in you!
The Pastor: The Cultivator
A garden needs constant care and attention to truly flourish. That's the role of the pastor—they shepherd God's people. The word "pastor" in Ephesians 4:11 speaks to this idea of shepherding (like we see in 1 Peter 5:2-4). Pastors are the ones who nurture the spiritual growth of believers, offering guidance, support, and fostering a strong sense of community. This involves teaching, counseling, and providing that steady, loving oversight.
Being a pastor isn't a sprint; it's a marathon of care and commitment to the well-being of others. It's about tending to each "tree" in the garden, making sure they are healthy, strong, and bearing good fruit. Do you feel a deep responsibility for the spiritual growth of those around you? Are you naturally drawn to care for and support others in their faith journey?
The Teacher: The Instructor
For a garden to truly thrive, everyone needs to understand the basics—how to plant, how to water, how to harvest, and how to cultivate. That's where the teacher comes in. Teachers are gifted in explaining and unpacking God's Word, equipping others with the knowledge and understanding they need to grow and serve effectively. The Bible consistently highlights the importance of teaching (1 Corinthians 12:28, Ephesians 4:11). Teachers provide the foundational understanding that empowers all the other roles.
Are you passionate about digging into scripture and sharing its truths in a clear and relatable way? Do you find joy in helping others understand complex spiritual ideas and apply them to their lives? You might have the heart of a teacher!
The Saint: The Enjoyer of Every Season
Now, here's a thought that might surprise you. The Bible often refers to all believers as "saints" (like in Romans 1:7 or Philippians 1:1). It's not a special title for a select few! Being a saint simply means being set apart for God. And the calling of a saint? It's to live a life fully surrendered to Him, learning to embrace and find God's purpose in every season—the planting, the watering, the harvest, and the cultivation.
The "enjoyment" here isn't about just having a good time; it's about actively engaging with God's presence and His purpose, no matter what's happening around you. Saints learn to find joy in the process, perseverance in the challenges, celebration in the victories, and steadfastness through it all. Are you learning to see God's hand in every part of your journey, embracing your identity as someone loved and set apart by Him?
Finding Our Place in God’s Plan:
A beauty of God's Kingdom is its diversity. We don't all have the same role. Our callings seem overlap and evolve over time. The most important thing is to seek God's heart, discover the gifts and passions He's placed within us, and be faithful in serving Him right where we are.
Where do you feel a tug in your spirit? What brings you the most joy and fulfillment in serving God and others? Realizing our calling seems to be a lifetime thing. We haven’t laid hold of it yet, but we press on toward that upward call. Embrace our place, we’ll flourish in God’s the courts of our God.
