From the Pastor – August

Summer is a season of growth and bountiful flowers and produce from the garden. We have been blessed with fertile soil where our home is situated in the Puyallup Valley that used to be a strawberry farm. The soil is rich and great for growing a variety of flowers, fruit trees, and vegetables.

Four years ago, we planted a fig tree; the first year it didn’t grow much or bear any fruit. The second and third years there was tremendous growth in the branches and leaves, but still no fruit. Last fall I strategically pruned some of the “suckers” that were shooting up from the bottom of the trunk … and this year we have a couple of handfuls of fruit.

Paul, in writing to the church in Corinth, used an agricultural analogy to encourage the members of the early church to pray for God’s blessings and growth of His Church.

“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 (nor the one who prunes – my words added) is anything, but only God makes things grow. The one who plants and the one who waters have one purpose, and they will each be rewarded according to their own labor. For we are co-workers in God’s service…” 1 Corinthians 3:6-9

It can be discouraging and disheartening to work in God’s “field” and not see immediate growth, but Paul reminds us that God is the one, through His Word and the power of the Holy Spirit, who changes people’s hearts and causes them to grow in their relationship with Him. Often, we get caught up in who is doing what
or who is not doing something we think should be done; Paul encourages us to be faithful planters, persistent waterers, and careful pruners, and let God do what God does!

Then Paul reminds us of something we can do EVERY DAY…

“In every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.”
Philippians 4:6

Rather than worry or dwelling on the numbers every day, Paul is urging us to pray to God for the growth of His kingdom here on earth and in this community and at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church. Let’s give the “concern” about growth back to God and pray fervently to God to bless the seeds of His Word that have been planted in the VBS students, and been sown in the Little Lambs Preschool Students, and have been shared with the students at Concordia Christian Academy and members at Good Shepherd. May God’s Word continue to grow our faith and relationship with God so that we have the courage, wisdom, and strength to continue planting, watering, pruning, and nurturing the growth He brings forth.

It is important to remember that it is God who makes the seeds grow (both physically and spiritually). As God’s co-workers in His kingdom (garden) we pray that God would help us to be faithful in building each other up. He will grow His Church and reward His servants for their faithful “yardwork.”

Pastor Schuldheisz