What to Do When God Plants Something in Your Heart
Have you ever had a moment with God that left you wondering, "Now what?" Maybe it was at a church camp, during a quiet time of prayer, or while reading Scripture. You sensed God speaking to you, but when you returned to everyday life, you weren't sure how to move forward. I've been there too, and I want to share some thoughts about what to do in those crucial moments.
The Camp Experience and Beyond
The last two weeks have been pretty incredible at the Summit Church as we've celebrated camps for kids and for students. I've experienced camp from every angle—as a child, an intern, a youth pastor, and now as a pastor. And there's one truth that remains constant: At some point, camp is over. And when camp ends, we're often left with a question. And the question is, now what do we do?
We've experienced God in some kind of way. We've had something happen in our lives. Maybe there's something going on that we can't even articulate with words. So what do we do now?
The Mustard Seed Principle
Jesus gives us a beautiful picture of spiritual growth in Matthew 13. He says, "The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed planted in a field. It is the smallest of all seeds, but it becomes the largest of garden plants. It grows into a tree, and birds come and make nests in its branches" (Matthew 13:31-32).
A mustard seed is tiny—about the size of a pinhead. It can fit on the tip of your finger, and if you put it in your palm, you might actually lose it! Yet from this insignificant beginning comes something magnificent.
Jesus' message is clear: spiritual growth often starts small and quiet. What begins as a whisper in your heart, a gentle nudge from God, can develop into something that impacts not just your life but the lives of those around you.
Growth Happens Beneath the Surface
If you've ever planted a seed, you know the process. You dig up the soil, you plant the seed, and after you plant the seed, you wait... And here's how it typically goes. Nothing, nothing, nothing, nothing, nothing, something.
During that waiting period, it seems like nothing is happening. But beneath the surface, roots are growing and being nourished. The same is true spiritually. When God plants something in your heart—a desire to treat people better, to develop spiritual disciplines, to stop negative behaviors—the change isn't always instantaneous.
Small Beginnings Lead to Big Impact
Consider the story of Frank Epperson. In 1905, as an 11-year-old boy, he accidentally left a cup of sugary water with a wooden stir stick on his porch overnight. The next morning, he discovered it had frozen, creating what we now know as the Popsicle. He didn't set out to create a new product category, but his small discovery brought joy to people around him.
Our spiritual life can work the same way. A quiet sense of God's presence or a simple desire to follow Him differently can, when nurtured faithfully, change us and impact those around us.
As Zechariah 4:10 reminds us, "Do not despise these small beginnings, for the Lord rejoices to see the work begin." God is more interested in authentic change than in dramatic performance. He cares more about who you're becoming than how impressive you look to others.
Putting It Into Practice
So what should you do when God plants something in your heart?
Remember the mustard seed principle. Don't expect an overnight transformation. Trust that God is working beneath the surface.
Make consistent small choices. Make choice by choice, day by day, to allow that mustard seed to grow.
Be patient with the process. Spiritual growth happens gradually through faithful decisions over time.
Look for opportunities to nurture what God has planted. Set aside intentional time to grow in your faith through prayer, Scripture, and community.
Share what you're learning with others. Like Frank Epperson sharing his accidental discovery, allow your spiritual growth to benefit those around you.
When that seed is planted and properly nurtured, we have the opportunity to see exactly what God is going to do as He grows in us an incredible passion for living like Him and making a difference in the world around us.
What small seed has God planted in your heart today? Don't despise this small beginning—it might just grow into something beautiful that changes everything.
