Be Intentional With the Seeds You Plant
By Roslyn — His Beloved Life Coaching & Mentoring
There’s something about gardening that always seems to mirror what God is doing in my life. Recently, I found a small container of seeds in my garage. They had no label but I believed them to be from some flowers I had planted last year. If you know me, you know I like to save seeds from things I’ve grown. So I thought, “Why not? Let me throw these into the soil and see what happens.”
A few days later, I was in my garden looking at a bean plant. I honestly don't remember what variety it was because again, I didn't label it.
The plant had leaves, stems, and even flowers. But no matter how many blooms it produced, it never produced fruit. And I had plenty of pollinators—so I knew that wasn’t the problem. The flowers would bloom, then die off, leaving nothing behind but empty promises. So I put the new seeds on my counter with the other seeds I had collected. A few days later, in my quiet time with the Lord, He brought the seeds to mind and said.
The plant had leaves, stems, and even flowers. But no matter how many blooms it produced, it never produced fruit. And I had plenty of pollinators—so I knew that wasn’t the problem. The flowers would bloom, then die off, leaving nothing behind but empty promises. So I put the new seeds on my counter with the other seeds I had collected. A few days later, in my quiet time with the Lord, He brought the seeds to mind and said.
“Be intentional about the seeds you plant.”
When God Uses the Garden to Teach Us
If you’re a gardener, you know planning is everything.
You need to know what to plant, when to plant it, where to plant it, and even which variety will survive your climate.
You need to know what to plant, when to plant it, where to plant it, and even which variety will survive your climate.
I live in North Florida—which means that “full sun” on a tomato label does NOT mean “full Florida sun.” I’ve learned that the hard way.
Over time I’ve had to become very strategic:
- Shade cloth for certain plants
- Heat-tolerant varieties for the summer
- Understanding seasons
- Understanding soil
- Understanding timing
You can’t plant whatever you want, whenever you want, and expect fruit.
And spiritually, the same thing is true.
And spiritually, the same thing is true.
The Seeds We Plant in Life
God began showing me that the seeds we plant—our decisions, ideas, commitments, habits, and time—should bear fruit. And not just fruit, but good, Godly fruit.
Because not everything that grows is good.
And not everything good is God.
And not everything good is God.
We can plant things that look promising but never produce anything.
We can pour energy, money, creativity, and time into ideas that bloom beautifully on the outside… but never bear fruit.
We can pour energy, money, creativity, and time into ideas that bloom beautifully on the outside… but never bear fruit.
Why?
Because they weren’t aligned with God’s plan.
Because they weren’t aligned with God’s plan.
Good Ideas vs. God Ideas
I am someone who has many talents and interests. I can do multiple things, and I enjoy doing them. But I’ve had to learn—and I’m still learning—that not everything I’m capable of doing is something God wants me to invest in right now.
Some things are good.
But they aren’t godly.
They aren’t part of His plan for this season.
But they aren’t godly.
They aren’t part of His plan for this season.
Jeremiah 29:11 reminds us:
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord,
“plans to prosper you and not to harm you…”
“plans to prosper you and not to harm you…”
God has a plan.
And our job is not to create our own plan and ask Him to bless it —
but to align ourselves with the one He already designed.
And our job is not to create our own plan and ask Him to bless it —
but to align ourselves with the one He already designed.
Don’t Waste Your Soil
In the natural world:
- Soil is expensive
- Fertilizer is expensive
- Water is expensive
- Time is precious
Why waste these valuable resources on seeds that won’t bear fruit?
Spiritually, it’s the same:
- Your time is valuable
- Your anointing is valuable
- Your energy, gifts, and talents are valuable
- Your creativity and calling are valuable
When we invest in things that God didn’t plant in us, we waste the resources He gave us.
Devotional Reflection Questions
Before you move on with your day, take a moment to sit with the Lord and allow Him to speak to your heart.
1. Lord, what seeds am I planting in this season—and are they aligned with Your plan for my life?
2. Are the seeds I’m planting producing godly fruit, or am I pouring my resources into things that are “good” but not God?
3. What seeds do I need to release, and what seeds is God calling me to plant intentionally right now?
Closing Prayer
Father, I come before You with an open heart.
Search me, Lord, and reveal the seeds I’ve planted that do not align with Your purpose for my life.
Show me where I’ve invested my time, energy, and gifts into things that cannot bear godly fruit.
Give me the wisdom to recognize the difference between what is merely “good” and what is truly from You.
Search me, Lord, and reveal the seeds I’ve planted that do not align with Your purpose for my life.
Show me where I’ve invested my time, energy, and gifts into things that cannot bear godly fruit.
Give me the wisdom to recognize the difference between what is merely “good” and what is truly from You.
Lord, help me to release every seed, every idea, every commitment, and every plan that is not part of Your will.
Uproot anything in my life that distracts me, drains me, or keeps me from walking in Your assignment.
Teach me to plant intentionally, to steward my gifts wisely, and to nurture only what You have called me to grow in this season.
Uproot anything in my life that distracts me, drains me, or keeps me from walking in Your assignment.
Teach me to plant intentionally, to steward my gifts wisely, and to nurture only what You have called me to grow in this season.
Align my heart with Your direction.
Align my steps with Your timing.
And align my life with Your perfect plan.
May every seed I plant bring You glory and bear fruit that lasts.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Align my steps with Your timing.
And align my life with Your perfect plan.
May every seed I plant bring You glory and bear fruit that lasts.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.
