Have you ever felt spiritually sluggish, like you just aren’t making much progress in your life with God? I talk with a surprising number of people who feel this way. They miss the “good old days” when God seemed to be turning the world upside down and they were busy changing their world for Christ. It seems that the move of God has moved on and left them behind. Maybe you’re not facing that feeling right now, but all of us go through seasons like that. Today, let’s listen to a passage from the book of Hosea that can help us during these dry seasons:

Sow with a view to righteousness, reap in accordance with kindness; break up your fallow ground, for it is time to seek the LORD until He comes to rain righteousness on you. (Hosea 10:12)

The Book of Hosea is a record of the prophecies Hosea directed to the northern kingdom of Israel in 8th century BC. He speaks of the spiritual adultery and idolatry of God's people with other gods and their idols, repeatedly bringing them this message: God hated the sins of His people and His judgment is certain—but His forgiveness is available to those who return to Him. In today’s passage, Hosea tells us to break up our “fallow ground.” Fallow ground is hard, unplowed ground. I’ve heard this passage preached many times, usually telling folks to repent of their hard-heartedness toward God. But there is another reason that ground can be fallow. Sometimes farmers have fallow ground because they have been good stewards of the soil, allowing an active field to rest, rebuild, and restore its nutrients. The result: when it’s plowed and planted again, the field produces a larger, more robust harvest. Perhaps you’ve been fruitful in the past, but aren’t feeling very productive now. Consider that you’ve been in a resting season, when God has allowed you to deepen and rebuild your nutrients. Maybe you’re coming into a new season, a season of yielding even more fruit. If so, Hosea has some practical tips. First, he tells the people to “sow with a view toward righteousness,” meaning that you should intentionally sow your time and resources in ways that please the Lord. Next, “reap in accordance with kindness.” Focus your efforts on acts of kindness toward others. And finally, as Hosea says, “it is time to seek the Lord.”  This is so important! Listen in prayer for the leading of the Spirit. Ask God, “How do You want me to spend my time?” If God wants a crop of potatoes He doesn’t want you planting corn.

Today, start investing time seeking God, allowing Him to break up your fallow ground. Make plans for how you will sow your time, efforts, and money. Your winter is nearly over…and a season of planting and reaping is coming soon!