Most people express a deep desire for change. They long for a different outcome in their lives, perhaps in their relationships, their career, their spiritual walk, or their emotional health. They want to see a new harvest. However, there is a painful disconnect: they are often unwilling to invest in the very process that produces that change.
As a coach, I see this on a daily basis. People come to me with clear goals, but when we map out the disciplined steps required, the daily habits, the difficult conversations, the skill-building, they hesitate. They offer a multitude of excuses: “I don’t have the time,” “It’s too hard,” “I’ll start tomorrow.” The honest truth is that we all have the same twenty-four hours. The absence of time is not the real issue; it’s a matter of pre-existing investment. We are already deeply invested in our current comfort zones, our current habits, and our current ways of thinking. The question isn’t really, “Do I want change?” The question is, “What is my true priority?”
This is where the principle of the harvest, found in Galatians 6:7 (NIV), becomes undeniably clear: “Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows.” This is not a suggestion; it is a spiritual and natural law. You cannot sow seeds of neglect and reap a harvest of growth. You cannot sow seeds of distraction and reap a harvest of focus. What you prioritize is what you will produce.
As a pastor, I must tell you that your life will always move in the direction of your strongest investments. Where your treasure is, your heart will be also (Matthew 6:21). You will never encounter a spiritual breakthrough or a deeper intimacy with God in the place where you are unwilling to invest your time in prayer and His Word. You cannot expect to bear the fruit of the Spirit if you do not abide in the Vine (John 15:4). We often want the blessings of the kingdom without the commitment of seeking it first (Matthew 6:33). But God’s economy doesn’t work that way. He honors the investment of our whole hearts.
From my perspective as a social worker, I see this truth play out in the context of healing and personal development. People want to heal from past trauma, but they are not willing to invest in the therapeutic process, in the hard work of self-reflection, or in building a supportive community. They want financial stability, but they are not willing to invest in a budget or new skills. They want healthier relationships, but they are not willing to invest in learning empathy or setting boundaries. The change you desire is on the other side of the investment you are avoiding.
So, I appeal to all three parts of your being: your spirit, your mind, and your actions. Sit down with yourself and self-evaluate.
– As a coach, I ask you: What is your schedule revealing about your true priorities? Don’t tell me what you say you want; show me your calendar and your bank statement, and I’ll show you what you’re truly invested in.
– As a pastor, I urge you: Examine your heart before the Lord. What have you placed above the pursuit of Him and His righteousness?
– As a social worker, I encourage you: Be honest about the areas of your life where you are making excuses instead of making an investment in your own well-being.
This is the simple, unvarnished truth: what matters to you, you will give time to. You will find a way to invest in what you truly prioritize. Your time, your energy, and your resources are the seeds you are sowing right now. And the harvest is already growing. If you are not willing to invest yourself in a particular field, do not be surprised when you do not encounter change there.
Choose today what you will sow. Choose what you will prioritize. Because what you sow is precisely—and only—what you will reap.
