THE BEST TIME TO PLANT IS NOW.

Those who wait for perfect weather will never plant seeds; and those who look at every cloud will never reap a harvest. Ecclesiastes 11:4

What’s the best time to plant a tree? 25 years ago. What’s the second best time to plant a tree? TODAY! The best time to plant is now! Don’t wait for a better time. Don’t say, “When I’m less busy, when I graduate, when the kids are out of the house, when I retire I’m going to get serious about God.” No! Crossroads could be saying, “We haven’t reached everyone within a 10 minute drive of our current location. Our facility isn’t THAT bad. What if we don’t have the leaders? What if we don’t have the money? What if? What if? What if?” In the New Testament, God was constantly moving the church beyond its current status. He used leaders like Peter, Paul, Lydia and Priscilla. He directed them through the Holy Spirit. God even used persecution to get the church to reach beyond its current boundaries. Because there were people who needed to hear about the love and grace of Jesus. But how can they call on him to save them unless they believe in him? And how can they believe in him if they have never heard about him? And how can they hear about him unless someone tells them? (Romans 10:14) If we could do it on our own, we wouldn’t need God. A God-sized vision will always require daring faith. Faith that God will act and grow and bless when we get moving. Henry Cloud said that “A good plan executed today is better than the perfect plan that we never get around to.” Perfection paralyzes potential. Do you want to watch history happen or make history happen? God did not bring you here to watch history happen. He brought you here to make history happen. Or are you going to play it safe? Are you in? All in? What kind of life are you reaping today? If it’s thriving and growing and there’s a sense of joy and fulfillment—keep pouring on the fertilizer. If you don’t like the kind of life you are reaping, maybe it’s time to change the way you’re planting.

1. What did you hear? What did God say to you as you read today’s Scripture and Devotion?
2. What do you think? How does it apply to your life?
3. What will you do? Don’t just be a hearer of the word. Be a doer of the word. (James 1:22)
4. Now Talk To God: This is where you turn your thoughts into prayer. It could be a prayer of gratitude or praise. It could be a prayer of confession or a request for God’s help. Take a minute to write a prayer of response.