Exciting Times

Tim Garrett, a graduate of the 2013 S.O.W.E.R.S. program.

I can personally guarantee you that there is excitement just around the bend for those of us involved in what will be taking place here in Sylvarena, Mississippi. The S.O.W.E.R.S. training program will be in full swing again, so long as the Lord tarries, and I couldn’t be more excited! I’m looking forward to what’s going to be new, working towards our goals, and practicing that awesome thing called Love. I have high and exciting expectations for the next, new group of individuals.

One of the greatest things about life is that no two days are the same and neither are any two years, any two groups, or any two individual people. Really, how could someone not be excited concerning this new S.O.W.E.R.S. year? Let’s put this into perspective: at some point, we’ve all probably thought everyday would be much more new and exciting if Jesus was still present on earth. Now listen to what Jesus said, “Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you (John 16:7).” We now have the Comforter, which is better than if Jesus would have remained! When we wake up to this great truth, we’ll be expecting new and exciting things every day. So why shouldn’t we get excited about this upcoming year when students will be working these kinds of truths?!

With this, there will be goals set and goals achieved. We all have goals to set for ourselves; we do not set every goal for each other. I would say one of the greatest, if not the greatest, goal for a S.O.W.E.R. is to know God more intimately; not just to read more about Him, but to know more of Him. He never changes, “But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord (2 Corinthians 3:18).”

Now, there is a vital key to knowing Him. We use an expression around here that goes: “Love is the Thing.” It really is. The scriptures tell us, “Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God. He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love (1 John 4:7-8).” We should always do the best we can to walk in love towards one another and in lowliness of mind esteem each other better than ourselves (Philippians 2:3). We operate as a household and fellowship. We learn to better love and to better take care of one another. 1 John 4:20b: “…for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen?”

Ultimately, what good would any of our efforts be without fruit? Jesus said, “I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing. Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples (John 15:5, 8).” We watch for the fruit of our labor and examine the methods we use; always looking to do our best for each other. This is exciting stuff, and I’m absolutely honored to be a part of another year here at S.O.W.E.R.S.!