I'm a big fan of 3 Amigos, which is where I first heard the line, "Sow very old one, sow like the wind." This phrase, however, is not to be confused as an accurate paraphrase of Galatians 6:7-10 ("you reap what you sow"). I read this passage today and it resonated with a lot of thoughts that I've recently had.

"The one who sows to please his sinful nature, from that nature will reap destruction; the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers."
-Galatians 6:8-10

Our job is to do good stuff that will please God. And if we do this, it pays off in the end. We will be rewarded & a harvest will be reaped. I've got to remember this when I grow tired, and when I grow apathetic, and when I quit seeking the good that God wants me to do.

Question: What am I sowing that can make an eternal difference?

Ever wonder if what you are doing is making an eternal difference, or if it's just temporary? We ought to think about this all the time. It ought to be our filter.

How would I live differently if I asked this question often? Would I watch as much TV? Would I care about sports as much? Would I follow the link that says "Alligator attack video caught on cell phone" (admit - I did this a few moments ago but wasn't patient enough for it to load).

And I wonder what churches would do different. What if every ministry, class, program and service had this filter? Would we find lots of things that we give huge amounts of time, energy, leaders and money to, that actually don't sow anything that is going to make an eternal difference?

Andy Grove, in his book Only the Paranoid Survive, challenges leaders to ask, "If I/we got fired & a new ______ was hired, what would he/they do different? And what's stopping me/us from walking out the door, coming back-in & doing that." So I'm wondering if someone replaced me as minister, or even as a volunteer at HP, what would he do different?

I'm starting to have some ideas. I'm starting to see some opportunities I have to do something different - something that will make an eternal difference.

I dare you to answer the question for yourself, and (if it applies) for your church. Be gentle. But be honest. It's probably gonna take some minutes blocked off to think about it. Maybe it will even dominate your thoughts for a while, or for a year, or for a lifetime.

God is asking us to sow for eternity - like the wind.