We live in a fundamentally moral universe.

At least since Newton's Third Law - for every action there is an equal and opposite reaction - we've understood that the physical universe is governed by cause and effect. But that holds true far beyond the merely physical. It applies to the moral and spiritual as well. Hosea declares: "Indeed, they sow the wind and reap the whirlwind." (Hos 8:7) "You have plowed wickedness and reaped injustice." (Hos. 10:13) It's a basic idea that runs throughout the Scripture - we reap what we sow.

Of course, none of us like that idea. We don't want to take responsibility for the harvest that is the sum of our life. We want to shift the blame to others, to circumstances, to society, to our family and friends. In fact, we want to shift the blame to anyone or anything except ourselves. And no doubt, external things contribute, and things beyond our control do affect us. But at the end of the day, we reap what we sow. It's as immutable a law as Newton's Third.

This is why Hosea invites us to plant new seeds and reap a new harvest. "Sow righteousness for yourselves and reap faithful love; break up your unplowed ground. It is time to seek the Lord until he comes and sends righteousness on you like the rain." (Hos. 10:12) The good news of the gospel is not only that Jesus Christ forgives us and rescues us from judgment - the harvest we deserve to reap for the seeds of sin we planted - he also gives us new hearts and new and better seeds to sow. No matter our past harvests, in Christ in this life we have the opportunity to plant new seeds and to reap better harvests than the ones we've reaped in the past.

Change is possible, not just inside us, but in the relationships around us. Righteousness is not simply rule-keeping, it's being in right relationship, both with God and neighbor. We can sow relationships that are characterized by justice and mercy, that is seeking to do right by others and extending mercy when right is not done to you.

What does sowing righteousness look like when:

you're cooped up with your kids who are off school for weeks on end?
you're working from home and Netflix or Hulu or porn beckons?
your spouse is anxious over the virus, or not anxious enough?
your hours at work are reduced, or you're laid off and money is tight?
the crowds at Costco or FM or Safeway are large and tempers flare?
disappointment over canceled plans and disrupted lives overwhelms?

The seeds of fear, anxiety, selfishness, and unbelief will be in abundant supply in the days ahead, and the temptation to plant them will be great. But in Christ, we've been given new seeds - seeds of patience, self-control, compassion, faith, mercy, and hope. Plant those seeds, and you will reap a harvest of faithful love.

Your pastor,
Michael