Certain conditions have to be in place for true growth to actually take place. Using the seed of a plant to illustrate this, the conditions necessary for growth include: Good or viable seed, death or fermentation of the seed, moisture or water, good soil, and sunlight. All these conditions must be met for a seed to actually manifest all the inherent qualities in her DNA.
A viable seed is a living seed. Though in its dormant stage, it has the potential to sprout and grow once it comes in contact with the soil and moisture. There are some seeds that appear viable but inside them their cotyledon has been destroyed by weevils. The cotyledon is the dormant yellowish leaf-like matter that will eventually burst out to form the first single or double leaves when the seed germinates. Applying this principle to our lives, it can be said that there are many people who though parade themselves as viable or show promising future and yet when put to test or when supplied with everything they need to grow they end up as dung. A mind that is corrupted by evil desire will not grow positively. A mind that is not receptive to change will remain inactive. A mind that constantly majors on the impossible will never experience possibilities and opportunities. That is why the scripture urges us to abide by this principle of Christian growth and success: “Dear friends, I urge you, as aliens and strangers in the world, to abstain from sinful desires, which war against your soul. Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us.” (1 Peter 2:11-12 NIV).
God assures us of our viability irrespective of the hostile environment we find ourselves. His word says, “But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.” (1 Peter 2:9-10 NIV).
A viable seed will not manifest its potential if it does not submit to decay. This decay likened to death or fermentation is the process by which the seed having been introduced into a moist soil, gets wet and swollen and subsequently gives way by decay to allow a new plant to burst forth. Jesus Christ our model illustrates this death: “I tell you the truth, unless a kernel of wheat is planted in the soil and dies, it remains alone. But its death will produce many new kernels—a plentiful harvest of new lives. Those who love their life in this world will lose it. Those who care nothing for their life in this world will keep it for eternity. (John 12:24-25). Sometimes we need to lose in order to gain. Sometimes we need to suffer defeat to gain victory at the end. As a fish fingerlings breeder and seller, I sold about 300 of this to a particular farmer. The farmer wrongly handled the fingerlings and lost 95 percent of them. This farmer as at then was a first timer in fish farming. He also bought fingerlings from other sources. I remember he told me that the outcome of the fingerlings I sold to him will determine if he would continue to do business with me. I was also determined to be the chief supplier of this farmer. When he lost these fingerlings, I had to replace them to the detriment of my business. Today there is a very strong relationship between us. I lost some fingerlings to secure his constant patronage. Over time as I do business with this farmer, I shall recover what I lost.
Jesus Christ says, “If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake, you will save it.”(Luke 9:24). Those who are willing to make sacrifices are the most likely people to grow. Some people just believe they are not supposed to be the one making sacrifices. These set of people believe that society owes them a duty to provide for them. They do not think of what they can give to society. A person who consistently thinks of amassing gain without thinking of giving out or giving back to society will eventually lose all. The Bible says, “And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but are yourself lost or destroyed?” (Luke 9:25). Looking at the Niger Delta region of Nigeria reveals how disregard to this principle of dying or giving back has negatively affected the region. The oil companies have continued to extract oil from the region with disregard for environmental impact caused by oil spill. The resultant effects of this is the massive pollution of arable land and water and also the constant youth restiveness.
The death of a seed does not mean a permanent death. It is only a transition. What is outside the seed may die but what is inside will definitely grow and become a great plant. That is why the scripture urges us thus: “Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. (2 Cor 4:16-18 NIV).
A good soil is very much necessary for germination. This is why Christians ought to be careful of the type of people and environment they associate with. Environmental factors truly can hinder us from becoming the best we ought to be. This principle is further highlighted in Psalm 23 and 1. For us to grow and succeed, we must yield our lives to the shepherding of the Lord who will definitely lead us to green pastures. Psalm chapter one says that the man who does not sit and fellowship with the ungodly is like a tree planted by the riverside -a good soil, bearing its fruit in due season.
You may be living in a hostile environment now, do not give up. Keep thrusting on. Keep pressing for better days, one day you will arrive. You may not be bearing fruit now, remember that Psalm chapter one says the tree planted by the riverside bears it fruit in due season. You have a season of fruit bearing awaiting you despite your seemingly decay and loss of outward beauty. Remember that the grain of wheat lost its beauty in order to manifest plenty of seeds both for the sower and eater. In likewise manner you shall manifest.
