Call Stories Continue...

How Is God’s Garden Doing in Your Mission Field?

7.12.2026

Isaiah 55:10-13 ▪️  Psalm 65:1-13 ▪️  Romans 8:1-11 ▪️  Matthew 13:1-9, 18-23

God’s peace and grace to the Community of Pointe of Grace

those gathered here in person, and those joining us online.

Before we go any further, I want to prepare you a little bit for the sermon.

Let’s take one deep breath together.

Let your shoulders drop.

Let your mind settle.

Let your spirit stay open and curious.

[Choosing Your Tree — A Shared Moment of Reflection]

This week in Grace Notes, I shared an image of ten trees.

It came from one of my team‑coaching instructors.

Before our lesson began, she asked us to choose one tree

not the tree we liked, but the tree that felt true for how we were arriving that day.

• Some trees looked barren.

• Some stood alone in winter.

• Some were flourishing.

• Some were weathering storms.

• Some were reflecting beauty.

• Some were simply enjoying the view.

I want to invite you to do the same right now.

Don’t overthink it.

Just notice which tree feels like your life, your faith, your spirit today.

Hold that tree in your mind.

Let it stand with you for a moment.

Because every one of us shows up today differently.

Every one of us carries a different season.

Every one of us is growing in different soil.

[Matthew 13 — Jesus Knows Something About Soil]

Jesus tells a story in Matthew 13 about a sower who scatters seed.

• Some seed never takes root.

• Some seed gets choked out.

• Some seed grows for a while and then fades.

• And some seed — some seed finds good soil and becomes a harvest.

For our time together today, I want to invite us to assume the last example.

The seed of Christ’s life, Christ’s teaching, Christ’s love did not go to waste.

• It took root.

• It grew.

• It became something in us.

Look around this worship space.

There are many trees living in this community

flourishing, storming, resting, reflecting, enduring.

And they help us recognize a truth:

• We don’t get to choose the soil we were born into.

• We don’t get to choose the storms that come.

• We don’t get to choose who supports us or who challenges us.

• We don’t get to choose the season we’re in.

Yet somehow, God keeps growing something.

[Psalm 65 — God the Gardener]

Psalm 65 tells us that God creates the conditions for life to flourish

in seasons...

• in a season of forgiveness.

• in a season of stability.

• in a season of belonging.

• in a season of abundance.

The psalmist says

God prepares, God plants, God waters, God grows, God brings the harvest.

So I wonder...

• what part of your life feels like it’s being prepared?

• What part feels watered?

• What part feels ready for harvest?

[Isaiah 55 — God Sends the Weather]

Isaiah deepens the image.

He says God’s Word is like rain and snow.

• It comes down.

• It waters the earth.

• It makes things grow.

• It accomplishes what God desires.

Isaiah reminds us:

Our life is not growing by striving.

Our life is growing because God keeps sending what we need.

• Rain for the thirsty.

• Snow for resting.

• Storms for strengthening.

• Sunlight for opening.

• Stillness for meditating.

So Isaiah invites us to ask:

What has God been sending into your life lately?

• Rain?

• Snow?

• Storm?

• Sun?

• Silence?

And how is that shaping the tree you are today?

[Romans 8 — The Spirit Growing Inside Us]

If Isaiah is about God sending rain, snow, storm, sun, and silence,

Romans is about God planting the Spirit inside us.

Paul says:

• We are no longer condemned.

• We are no longer stuck in old soil.

• We are no longer driven by fear or failure.

• We are now indwelt by the Spirit who brings life.

The Spirit God plants inside us cultivates...

• New roots.

• New courage.

• New tenderness.

• New endurance.

• New freedom.

Romans invites us to ask:

What part of your life is the Spirit cultivating right now?

• Some trees stand tall because the Spirit strengthens them.

• Some trees flourish because the Spirit renews them.

• Some trees survive storms because the Spirit anchors them.

• Some trees reflect beauty because the Spirit brings peace.

[Your Call Story — God Is Growing Something in You]

So today, as you hold your tree in mind, your call story might be a story about:

• How God is tending you.

• How God is watering you.

• How God is strengthening you.

• How God is cultivating you.

• How God is growing you.

Most importantly — God is not finished with you.

God is not finished with me.

God is not finished with us.

Whatever season you are in,

• flourishing,

• storming,

• resting,

• reflecting,

• enduring,

God is present in it.

Because God’s garden is not somewhere far away.

• God’s garden is your life and your whole being.

• God is in your mission field.

• God is in your relationships.

• God is in our community.

And God is making something grow.

That is your call story.

[A Closing Prayer]

Let us pray.

May the Spirit meet you in your season.

May Christ’s Word water your roots.

May God’s grace help you name what you have been harvesting.

And may you discover that God’s garden

is each of us, alive and growing in God’s care

right here, right now

Amen.