The Life Giver

Psalm 126:5-6

Those who sow in tears will reap with shouts of joy. Though one goes along weeping, carrying the bag of seed, he will surely come back with shouts of joy, carrying his sheaves.

This has long been one of my favorite passages of Scripture, and I know it has been for many of you, too. Anyone who has experienced loss can appreciate the comfort of knowing that there is yet a harvest of joy coming and the current sorrows will eventually fade. Pay close attention to the words, however. This does not promise joy for everyone who has experienced loss; this joy has certain conditions attached.

Specifically stated here, those who sow in the midst of their sorrow will reap with shouts of joy. Sow in the Hebrew in this context means “life-giver.” Those who give life to others are the ones who will reap the joy! To experience a great harvest from your sorrow, you must have a servant’s heart that is willing to give to others. The person who seeks only what they can get to make their situation better is not promised anything. When you give life, you reap joy!

Notice, too, that the person sowing in tears is carrying a bag of seed. If God allows you to experience loss, you have something to give. He does not leave you empty-handed. If you want a harvest, sow that seed. If God has comforted you in any way, turn around and comfort someone else. If He has blessed you financially, bless someone else financially. Give what He has given you, and get ready to gather a harvest! If you want a bigger harvest, just sow more seed. You cannot out give God, so take your seed and begin to give life to someone else.

We are all in need of building new relationships after experiencing a loss, but unless we are willing to give of ourselves, those bonds will not happen. We are all left with empty, gaping holes to fill, but unless we are willing to give something of ourselves, those holes will only enlarge in isolation. By giving, we gain. The heart that cannot give does not truly appreciate what it has. If you can’t appreciate what God has already given you, He has no reason to give you more.

Take time today to thank God for what He has given you. As the old song teaches us, counting our blessings really does change our perspective on things. After you’ve truly come to appreciate what He has given you, begin to give life to others by blessing them in some way. Your life will never get any better until you learn to be a life-giver. No one wants to be around someone who just sucks the life right out of you. Bless. Comfort. Encourage. Give. Serve. The tiny seeds you sow today will be the harvest you reap tomorrow.

Have a blessed day!