Have you ever had times when you found yourself giving, doing, spending time, effort, sweat, going out of your way to help, and investing all to give to others?
As tonight's prayer and devotional remind us, those times can be exciting but draining of strength, resources, and time. We can feel like giving up, not seeing progress or goals achieved, feeling discouraged, down, and worn out, even wishing at times that we’d never started.
It’s during those times we can look to God, have faith, and trust Him that our intentions and efforts are being cultivated in unseen places, and will bring forth good results, even, if, for extended times we don’t see anything happening, maybe not for years, or decades, before reaping the results we had hoped for when we first began.
The Apostle Paul seemed to understand how planting and growing in others can take time, and it isn’t up to us to see it blossom and bloom. As he wrote in 1 Corinthians 3:7, “So neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow.”
Especially when it comes to investing in people, it can seem painfully slow before we even start seeing anything happening, to see the things we’ve planted and watered begin to sprout and grow.
Waiting can feel like it’s going on forever through the long, hard days of seeing no progress or growth, wondering if our time and efforts spent on investing in others are coming up fruitless. It can be times of deep anguish and sorrowful weeping.
But God offers us the spiritual fruits of patience and long suffering in our lives, to help us endure during the quiet, inactive times. As Galatians 5:22 describes, “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness.”
He also promises joy that, no matter the situation, comes from knowing Him. As John 15:11 explains, “I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.”
As Paul encourages in Romans 12:12, “Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.”
TONIGHT’S SCRIPTURE
“Those who sow with tears will reap with songs of joy”- Psalm 126:5
YOUR NIGHTLY PRAYER
Dear Father,
Even though there have been many tears over the years with regard to the time, effort, and investment we have invested in others’ lives for your glory, help us to have faith in what you are accomplishing in their lives, and to be joyful about the opportunities we have to do so. Remind us, too, of those who have done the same in our lives. Thank you for the privilege of working together with you in the lives of others. O Lord, our hearts are also deeply grateful to those You sent to plant and water our own lives.
In Jesus ’name,
Amen.
THREE THINGS TO MEDITATE UPON
1. Think back on your life and how others planted and watered you in various ways. Look at yourself then and now and consider if those things have taken root and begun to sprout yet in your life.
2. Ask God to remind you of those whose lives you have watered and planted. Consider checking in with them to see how they are progressing in the walk with the Lord.
3. Thank God for all the friends, families, pastors, teachers, and others who have taken the time and effort to water and plant God’s endeavors in your life, giving thanks for each one by name.
![<p>Rainn Wilson revealed which star of “The Office” broke character the most while filming. The man best known for playing Dwight Schrute mentioned the cast member who had the most trouble keeping it together on the show loved many. Watch the short and hilarious clip to hear about what happened behind the scenes of “The Office.”</p>
<p>Most television shows do not last long. If they survive a season or two, that could be considered a long time. Depending on how much it costs to produce them, many shows do not have much time to find their audience. They get pulled rather quickly if they don’t pull decent ratings and a sizable audience almost immediately.</p>
<p>For that reason, only a handful of television shows become classics, programs beloved by all. One of those select few, modern-day television classics is “The Office.” It’s a hilarious show that can be rewatched endlessly, and because of its sharp and witty writing, you will laugh every time you watch an episode, regardless of how many times you’ve seen it.</p>
<p><a href="https://www.youtube.com/shorts/xA24f4zYJgY">In a clip posted on YouTube</a>, Rainn Wilson answered some critically important questions about the show loved by many. Specifically, he was asked which of his “Office” castmates had the toughest time keeping it together while filming. Without a moment’s hesitation, Rainn answered, revealing the individual who struggled the most to stay in character and keep from laughing.</p>
<p>“Brian Baumgartner was the biggest breaker on ‘The Office,’ Rainn said. “Not even a close second, John and I would set each other off. Like, if John and I were doing a scene and there was just a little bit of like a twinkle or the corner of the mouth going, the other person would just lose it immediately.”</p>
<p>On the other hand, Rainn mentioned the actor from “The Office” who almost never broke character during the show’s nine-season run.</p>
<p>“Oscar [Nuñez], I think he broke once in nine years,” Rainn added. “I don’t even remember what scene it was, but he would never break. Oscar ‘Never Break’ Nuñez.”</p>
<p><em><strong><a href="https://www.godtube.com/bible/job/8-21">Job 8:21</a></strong> “The time will come when your mouth will be full of laughing, and cries of joy will come from your lips.”</em></p>](https://media.swncdn.com/godtube/2025/10/24/655517--d99af0e3-6e3b-4b84-a6d1-77fe940ad053-thumb.jpg)
