Seeds Of Responsibility

I gave a devotional at a men's breakfast at our church this morning,
This was the result:

A Facebook friend shared a picture on Facebook a couple of nights ago
which got me thinking about a couple of things.

 The First is this scripture verse:

 John 12:24

Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies,
it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit.

The picture was a couple of pieces of fruit, long past their prime for eating.
But if the seeds (unless it were some oddball hybrid) were to be planted, then
if they received watering and fertilising, they could, in time, feed people.

 Then another scripture came to mind:

 Isaiah 45:9 (the second half)

Does the clay say to him who forms it, ‘What are you making?’
or ‘Your work has no handles’?

What came to mind is this, what would be the consequences if
I, as the seed planted by the farmer, were to demand I be placed
in the shade? Or complained I didn't like water? Or said that the
fertiliser tastes funny? Supposing I refused to cooperate with the
farmer, who knows just where I should be planted?

 What would happen to me?

 First, if he complied, and moved me to the shade, my growth would be stunted.
 Secondly, I wouldn't grow any fruit.

As to the water and the fertiliser, the result would be the same or worse,
I could wither up and die.

 More importantly, what would happen to those relying on my fruits?

Well, since I am using fruit as an example, those wanting my fruit may
not starve, but fruit is required as part of a healthy diet. In the days of
wooden sailing ships, sailors who didn't get a balanced diet, especially
including fruits, could suffer from malnutrition, including an ailment
called 'Rickets'.

It was an interesting week for me as I watched people, one of those
days I had an IV stuck in my arm.

I had to ask myself: have I been in the Son getting watered and nourished,
or have I been in the shade? Do people see palatable fruits?

 Here's a worse thought; what if the farmer reached for me, or called on
me, and I scurried away, out of his grasp, saying, I'm happy and warm enough
in here; I don't wanna be in the cold, nasty dirt! It's icky out there.

The people need our fruit, and as men, it seems to me to be doubly important.
We are called on to be leaders who set an example. We all need to ask
ourselves: are we, specifically, am I?

What happens if I am called to move on? Will someone step up to the plate
and take my place, so I can head the call elsewhere?

 A couple of verses to think about:
1 Cor 11:1
Ephesians 5:25
1 Cor 16:13

Selah