7 Seeds for professional growth

If you’ve been involved in church for a while, when I mention “seed,” the first thing that might come to mind is money. However, there are many other things that can be considered seeds. A seed represents a beginning; everything God gives us comes in seed form. A seed is what you receive that has the potential to create all the promises God has made to you. When God makes a promise, He provides you with something in seed form, and when you use it properly, you will harvest the miracle you asked Him for.

When God created man, one of the first commands He gave was to “be fruitful,” indicating that humanity was already “seed-full.” As a child of God, you are a carrier of many seeds; in fact, everything you possess is a seed. Everything you know and every experience you’ve had also serve as seeds. When we recognize everything, we have, everything we know, and everything we’ve experienced as seeds, life takes on a new meaning.

Here are 7 seeds that will aid growth in your career:

Wisdom is the ability to listen. When the Bible says that Solomon asked God for an understanding heart, the original Hebrew phrase is “SHAMA LEB,” which means “HEARING HEART.” God granted Solomon this hearing heart. Solomon, known for his wisdom, states, “Let the wise listen and add to their learning” (Proverbs 1:5).

A crucial aspect of effective communication is the often-overlooked art of listening. Good soldiers are typically good listeners who apply what they hear with strong performance. Likewise, good employees and leaders excel in listening skills. Even in marriage, good husbands are those who listen well (to which all the wives say, “Amen!”). Therefore, make a conscious decision to become a better listener. One of the secrets to a healthy marriage is that both partners learn to listen to each other with an open mind, engaging in meaningful conversations. When conversing with someone, value them, lean in, and listen to their heart. Listening not only helps to build relationships but also serves as the foundation for knowledge.

Change is inevitable; everything in this world evolves over time. However, progressive growth is planned and intentional. Growth is never an accident; one must aim for it and work toward it consistently. To grow in life according to God’s purposes, you need to be willing to change.

Change is a prerequisite for growth. If you’re not changing, you’re not growing. While it may seem convenient to avoid change, it often brings discomfort—your routine may be disrupted, you might need to rearrange your priorities, let go of certain habits, and try something new. I’ve learned that it’s better to embrace temporary discomfort and elevate yourself to a higher level in life than to choose fleeting comfort and miss out on God’s best.

Therefore, be willing to change. Discipline yourself to seek fresh knowledge in your area of calling, learn from your mentors, stay open to criticism, welcome constructive feedback, and be humble enough to accept correction.

Anything you are unwilling to confront will remain unchanged. When you avoid confronting issues, you are essentially giving them permission to grow. However, when you choose to confront them, God provides you with the grace to overcome.

In the Bible, we learn that when Moses killed an Egyptian, he fled to the land of Midian to escape his crime. Instead of taking responsibility and seeking God’s mercy, he ran away. Forty years later, when God appeared to Moses on Mount Sinai, He instructed Moses to drop his staff on the ground. It turned into a snake, and guess what Moses did? He ran from it once again. He fled from a snake in the presence of Almighty God! Why? He had learned to avoid confronting inconvenient situations.

Moses spent forty years hiding from his mistakes, but God came to him and urged him to face his fears. He told Moses to confront the snake and catch it by its tail, which caused it to transform back into a staff. Notice that when Moses grabbed the tail, the snake instinctively tried to bite him, but it was unable to do so because God protected him. In other words, you don’t need to worry about the consequences of facing your issues—God is in control. Jesus has defeated the serpent. When you confront your challenges, you will be able to overcome them with ease. Importantly, the staff didn’t just revert to its original form; it became the “Rod of God” (Exodus 4:20). This rod was used by Moses to perform miracles and fulfill his purpose. God was essentially saying, “Confront the issue. Don’t compromise and allow it to become a habit. Address it directly. When you do, I will handle the consequences. I will protect you and turn the situation around for your good.”

Beloved, whatever does not contribute to your destiny and hinders your progress needs to be confronted. Avoiding it will only lead to a habit of escape, which can grow into a lifestyle of compromise. Remember, confrontation is the seed of change. God is on your side. Do not be afraid to confront what is holding you back from realizing your full potential in life. Remember, confrontation is essential for change.

A problem is an invitation to significance. It offers a chance to showcase your talents, skills, and competence. Whenever God allows you to face a problem in your life, it serves as a seed for recognition.

Consider this: Nobody would have heard of David if he had fought a midget instead of a giant. We know David’s name because he faced a formidable challenge and emerged victorious. Interestingly, the Scripture tells us that David ran toward the giant while everyone else fled in the opposite direction (1 Samuel 17:48). He understood that problems are opportunities for recognition.

Similarly, Joseph was released from prison and appointed as the viceroy of the nation because of his problem-solving abilities. When he noticed the troubled expressions of the butler and the baker, he realized that by helping them resolve their problems, he could also find a way to leave the prison and reach the palace.

Don’t let problems intimidate you. Your worth is measured by the problems you can solve. God has called you to be a problem solver, and your task is to discover the kinds of problems you are meant to address. Remember, problems are seeds for recognition.

Whenever we venture into new territories, we must be prepared for the challenges that come with it. When struggles arise, don’t panic; they are signs that you are pushing for change and pursuing growth. You’re moving toward your promised land, which is why “Goliaths” appear.
New territory can signify a promotion, a new job, or a business venture. These opportunities often come with challenges that require bold confrontations. By facing these challenges, you claim the new territory as your reward. It’s time to become adept at overcoming obstacles. Life is indeed a fight, and you will never outgrow warfare. You must be ready to tackle any challenge related to your God-given destiny. Whenever God intends to expand your life and grant you more territory, battles will serve as the starting point.

I recently heard the CEO of a successful job firm say, “The number one reason people get hired is because of their personal appearance.” Presentation is more important than we often realize; it helps others to open doors for us and makes room for us to present who we are and what we have to offer. It acts as a seed for acceptance.
In the Bible, we read that before Joseph stood before the king to interpret the dream that led to his promotion, he shaved and changed his clothes (Genesis 41:14). His presentation earned him favor, and when the king wanted to give him the signet ring and appoint him as Prime Minister, Joseph was clean and ready.
We also learn about Esther, who underwent beauty treatments for several months and received training in palace etiquette before she appeared before the king. Her preparation paid off, as she ultimately became queen. Esther understood that presentation is a seed for acceptance.
Friend, God has a great journey ahead of you. You’re going to accomplish amazing things, and that’s why you should strive to be presentable every time you meet someone or go out. Be packaged for where you are going, not for where you came from—because presentation is the seed for acceptance.

Pastor Jentezen Franklin emphasizes that there are two primary ways to learn: through your own mistakes or by learning from your mentors. I would definitely choose the second option. While it’s possible to learn from mistakes, it’s not guaranteed, and it often delays your progress and can be painful. Learning from a mentor is much more effective.

However, mentorship does come with a cost. Gaining a mentor is not simply a matter of asking for it. None of us should feel entitled to mentorship; it is a precious privilege for a successful person to take us under their wing and guide us. Their time and insight into their way of thinking are not given lightly.

A powerful example of mentorship is found in the story of Elijah and Elisha. In 2 Kings 3:11, it says, “Elisha poured water on the hands of Elijah.” Elisha served Elijah for nearly thirteen years as a servant, and during that time, he was effectively being mentored by the prophet Elijah. As a result, Elisha became a very successful prophet, performing twice as many miracles as Elijah.

It’s important to recognize that even though successful people may care for everyone in their organization, they cannot spend time mentoring everyone. They simply cannot afford to do so. Therefore, if you wish to be mentored by a successful person, take the initiative and offer your services. Consider volunteering in their organization, working under them, or becoming their personal assistant. By serving them, whether occasionally or for a season, you will gain access to their inner circle and receive the privilege of mentorship and training from them.

I hope this message has blessed you, and I encourage you to put these principles into practice. Doing so can lead to significant growth in your professional career and help you fulfill all that God has planned for your life. God bless you!