“Farmers who wait for perfect weather never plant. If they watch every cloud, they never harvest. Plant your seed in the morning and keep busy all afternoon, for you don’t know if profit will come from one activity or another—or maybe both.” Ecclesiastes 11:4, 6 NLT

Farming is a risky business. With good weather and plenty or rain, farmers can make a lot of money. But without proper rain, they can lose everything they labored so hard for. And so some farmers are very careful, to the point of taking no risk. But then they fail for not trying.

But the wisest man on the earth at the time was Solomon. And this is what he advised:

“No more excuses! No more delay! Either get in the harvest, or let someone else do it. Diversify your plantings and try different things, because you don’t always know which will give you a great harvest.”

Do you know the 80/20 rule? It simply means 20% of our work brings 80% of our results. But we don’t always know which ideas will bring the greatest results. His other piece of wisdom involves diversification… “But divide your investments among many places, for you do not know what risks might lie ahead.” Ecclesiastes 11:2 NLT

How does this relate to us today? Simply put, plant the seed of the gospel in many ways, and in many places, to many people. We don’t know how people will respond. 

For example, I was on an African flight sitting next to a businessman. I shared my One Minute Witness, and he decided he wanted to pray to receive Jesus! Afterwards I found out he is an ambassador from one nation to three more African nations! Little did I know such a man of influence would be sitting by me, especially in the economy section of the airplane! And little did I know I would have the privilege of leading him to Jesus!

As Christians, we are like farmers who cannot afford to be intimidated by the circumstances, but must both boldly and wisely sow the seed of the gospel to many people. We don’t know which will prosper and bring the greatest fruitfulness, but we do know God’s word will not return empty, but always bring a harvest.

We must listen to Solomon. Make the most of every opportunity! Pray “Lord, I’m available today.” Be filled with compassion, for it will motivate you to help others find Jesus. This is your moment, and you won’t have it again.

Carpe Diem. Seize the day!