What a foolish question! When you put a seed into the ground, it doesn’t grow into a plant unless it dies first. And what you put in the ground is not the plant that will grow, but only a bare seed of wheat or whatever you are planting. Then God gives it the new body he wants it to have. A different plant grows from each kind of seed.

1 Corinthians 15:36-38 NLT

A farmer had two seeds, one was big and pretty. The other was small and already looked rotten. Others were sure that the big seed would produce the best fruit. It was already the best seed. Others said to throw the other seed out. It would not produce fruit, and if it did, the fruit would not be worth anything.

The farmer planted both.

The big seed took work. It needed a certain soil, a certain spot to be planted, a certain way to be water. By the end of planting it, the farmer spent three times the amount of work and money on it than any other seed. The farmer worked with a gentle touch. And even after planting it, the thick pretty skin took a year to crack open and shed. The plant inside needed just as much work. Certain soil, certain work to keep it strong during the winter, more work. That the farmer did with a gentle touch. And it was not until four years after he planted the seed, did a beautiful towering tree stood with thick heavy peaches.

The small seed needed attention. Its starting condition was fragile and the farmer handled it with extreme care during planting. Using the softest soil, the lightest tools, and the gentlest touch. That care and work lead to the small seed’s thin weak skin to crack quickly. But still, it took time and more work for it to grow and increase. The tools grew rougher, and the conditions tougher. The farmer’s touch was still just as gentle. Slowly it climbed and climbed, till going over every obstacle in its way. Four years later, a strong vine held juicy bountiful grapes.

Both plants took time, work, and patience that the farmer was willing to give. The work was different and each plant needed different things, but both had the same gentle touch of the farmer. And in the end, the farmer had two bountiful, very different fruits that gave the farmer more than anyone ever imagined.

Real Talk:

Disclaimer: I don’t know how to garden. I have only seen others do it, and seen the patience it takes to do it. But in the Bible, planting is used as a parable so much. And it’s because God gives us that much patience.

No matter whether you need a lot of work or a gentle touch or both, God will work with you, Because He knows how to make you more than you or anyone else imagined. As long as you submit to His work and open yourself to Him.