It is the most topical aspect of our annual motto. And it can be explained by all kinds of weather. Here is an entire divine service about a tiny little word.
“He who observes the wind will not sow, and he who regards the clouds will not reap” (Ecclesiastes 11: 4). This was the Bible text used in a divine service in Spreewald in Germany on 12 January 2025. “That goes well with our annual programme,” Chief Apostle Jean-Luc Schneider said. “We want to do good. And now is the time to do it.”
Regardless of the conditions
“He who observes the wind will not sow.” The Bible text refers to the image of a farmer who refrains from sowing in windy conditions so that the seed is not carried away. “Sowing in the Bible is often used as an image for our way of life,” the Chief Apostle said. “The wind is an image for all the things that make sowing difficult.”
Figuratively that means: “If you have something to do, don’t wait for all the conditions to be ideal. Do it now, otherwise you’ll never do it.” And in the context of our annual motto that means: “We should not wait for all the conditions to be ideal. The time to do good is now.”
The Chief Apostle gave two examples:
- “It is high time that we take a serious look at our own salvation. Let us not allow ourselves to be distracted by our problems and worries. See to your soul and do the will of God now even in these circumstances. Do it now.”
- “Doing good also means that we should make sure that our children learn to love God and their neighbour. Don’t look at the wind. Don’t wait for favourable conditions. Do it now. Make sure that the gospel is planted in their hearts.”
Headwinds and trust in God
And then there are the headwinds. “Doing God’s will is not very popular today,” the Chief Apostle said. Qualities such as being obliging and accommodating, being forgiving and tolerant are sometimes rejected because they are considered weak, the Chief Apostle said. “Forget this headwind. Our motivation to do good is not based on what the people around us think. It is based on our heart’s attitude.”
“We are only responsible for sowing the seed and not for it to sprout,” the Chief Apostle explained. “God will see to that. He decides when and where the seed will sprout. Good things are never free. God will bless this. Do what is good, even if you think it is completely useless.”
When clouds gather
“And he who regards the clouds will not reap,” it says in the Bible text. “The harvest is a metaphor for God’s judgement,” the Chief Apostle explained. For us that means that we cannot calculate the moment of Christ’s return. “There is only one thing we do know: He will come! Make sure you are ready. Now!”
The sun is covered by clouds. All that prevents us from seeing the majesty of God are the clouds. “Don’t look at these clouds that hide God, that make you forget how great and almighty God is. He will send His Son, regardless of what it looks like on earth, what it looks like in your congregation, and what it looks like in your life.”
Clouds versus truth
And then there are the clouds that bring no rain. “You think it is going to rain, but the wind comes, disperses the clouds, and there is no rain. In the Bible, this is an image for false teachers,” the Chief Apostle explained. “Don’t allow yourself to be seduced by these clouds.”
“The only one who tells the truth, the only one who can and will fulfil every one of His promises is God. God the Father, God the Son, God the Holy Spirit.” Therefore, let us hold on to the word of God. I am talking about the gospel of Jesus Christ, the foundation, the essence, and the creed. What we believe in will be fulfilled. Do good things now. It is high time.
