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Written by Leylane Bertoldo Campos, volunteer with Iron Rose Sister Ministries in Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil

The saying "practice makes perfect" is a classic across many cultures. Whether you are reading this blog post in Portuguese, English, or Spanish, you have surely heard it before. But is it really that simple? I have heard that some psychologists and neuroscientists prefer to make a slight correction to this adage. They say that "practice leads to permanence," but not necessarily to perfection. This is because, if you practice something the wrong way, your brain will reinforce that error. With this in mind, we can apply this logic to our walk with God, as the risk is very similar. When we try to practice a godly life in the wrong way, we may pursue a perfection that will never come. Instead, we can seek a godliness that pleases God—not to become perfect, but to become mature and fruitful.

It is common to see a simplified view of spirituality within our community. For some, regularly attending church activities, mechanically reading a chapter of the Bible, and saying a quick prayer before bed make up a sort of “holiness combo.” While these actions are essential when performed intentionally, reducing faith to a checklist can be an unwise and haphazard way to nurture our spiritual lives. We need to understand that biblical faith is not passive. God’s wisdom also manifests itself through strategy and planning—and this is precisely what the woman of Proverbs 31 demonstrates.

She considers a field and buys it; out of her earnings she plants a vineyard. (Prov 31:16 NIV)

The woman of Proverbs 31 has a very clear vision of her future. Notice that she does not buy a property on impulse; she examines it before making that decision. When examining a property, it is necessary to patiently assess its suitability for the intended purpose—in this case, planting a vineyard. There is a principle of biblical wisdom here. In Proverbs, the wise person observes, ponders, and acts with discernment.

In this verse, we also see a woman who devoted her efforts to planting a vineyard—an undertaking that requires long-term vision. An experienced winegrower knows that the entire process of planting a vineyard demands patience. In the early years, the project may appear stagnant. Yet, it is beneath the soil—hidden from our view—that the real work takes place. That is where the plant expends all its energy, driving its roots as deep as possible to absorb the necessary nutrients. If it were to bear fruit without deep roots, its entire structure could be compromised. This reminds us that Christian maturity also requires the patience of cultivation—a practice that will lead us to become like Christ.

At first glance, we might view this verse merely as guidance regarding business or finances. However, God’s wisdom is reflected in our everyday lives. The way we examine our choices also reflects the state of our hearts. The daily actions we take are deeply connected to good habits that can draw us closer to God.

Have you ever stopped to consider how you make your decisions? How you manage your resources? How you plan your time, handle your money, or use your talents? Do you seek to make decisions based on God’s wisdom, rather than on a desire for instant results or emotional neediness?

Just like a vineyard, spiritual growth requires daily consistency, pruning, and great patience. A truly worthwhile spiritual life does not happen overnight, nor does it arise from vain repetitions devoid of purpose or planning. Whether at home, at work, or in the church, we need to apply God's wisdom to every decision we make—examining matters and planning for the long term.

Christian women seek the success of the Kingdom of God above all else; they examine their attitudes and manage with discernment what God has placed in their hands. Which "soil" do you need to examine more mindfully right now before making a decision? Have you been planting vineyards for the future, or living merely for present impulses? Have you been spending your energy planting vineyards that will nourish your future, or have you spent your days reacting only to the impulses and urgencies of the present?

James 5:7-8 says: “Be patient, then, brothers and sisters, until the Lord’s coming. See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop, patiently waiting for the autumn and spring rains. You too, be patient and stand firm, because the Lord’s coming is near.”

Begin today what you hope for tomorrow. Prepare yourself for the coming of Christ. Pray today for the future of your marriage. Pray today for your baby’s teenage years, or for the future spouses of your young children. Seek today the spiritual growth you desire for your future. Practicing a godly life may not lead to the perfection the world seeks, but it will certainly lead us to a fruitful life—a practice carried out in the right way, as God desires and has taught us, so that we may strengthen our hearts, for the coming of the Lord is near.

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Written by Kim Solis, volunteer with Iron Rose Sister Ministries in Oregon

Matthew 9:37–38 says:

The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few.
Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field. (NIV)

Whenever I think about this passage, I picture men and women working in a field, gathering the harvest from what has already been planted. It is hard work, the kind of work most people would rather avoid. It requires time, effort, and energy, resulting in aching backs, rough hands, dirty knees, and often blood, sweat, and tears.

Many sermons, lessons, and exhortations focus on asking Christians whether we are working in the field, participating in the harvest by talking to people about God and explaining His plan of salvation.

The Spanish TLA (Traducción en Lenguaje Actual, or Translation in Contemporary Language) says:

Jesus said to his disciples, “There are many people who need to enter the kingdom of God, but there are very few disciples to tell them the good news.
So ask God to send more disciples to share the good news with all those people.”

Working in the field, harvesting = proclaiming and sharing the good news with people.

Many times, we think the right way to “evangelize”—to share the good news—is primarily through evangelistic campaigns, knocking on doors, or handing out flyers in the street. And often the approach begins by pointing out people’s sins or errors: telling them they are lost, that only Jesus can save them, that they need to repent and be baptized for the forgiveness of their sins, and rise with Him to a new life.

I agree with that message. What I question is whether pointing out what is wrong and correcting people should be the starting point.

The good news is, after all, GOOD.

It announces that the lame can now walk, the deaf can hear, and the captives have been set free. In the gospels, Jesus’ strongest rebukes were directed toward those who already knew the Scriptures and claimed to know God. But when He approached the hurting, the marginalized, and those who were far from God, He often began by meeting their physical needs and, perhaps even more importantly, their emotional ones. He offered compassion, acceptance, dignity, and friendship. And from within that relationship, He taught them a new way to live.

First Peter 3:15–16 says that we should always be prepared to give a defense for the hope that is within us.

That means there must first be a hope within us that others can see.

People notice our peace, our hope, the way we love, and the way we live. And that difference should naturally lead them to ask why something is different about us.

But being a worker in the field also involves much more than speaking words of explanation or instruction.

No harvest would ever happen if someone had not first planted, watered, and cultivated with intention, attention, patience, care, and love.

Paul’s words in 1 Corinthians 3:6–7 come to mind:

I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God has been making it grow.
So neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow. (NIV)

When we show people mercy, when we are generous with our affection, our resources, and our time, when we help, encourage, and walk alongside others, we are planting, watering, and cultivating, even before we ever open the pages of a Bible.

First John 4:11–12 says:

Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.
No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us.

People cannot see God. But when they see the love we show one another and the love we extend to those around us, they can catch a glimpse of Him. God becomes present among us, and His love is made visible in a way others can experience.

That, too, is sharing the gospel.
That, too, is proclaiming the good news.
That, too, is taking part in the work of the field and the harvest.

So, what are you doing today to participate in the work of the field?
Are you planting?
Are you watering?
Are you cultivating with love, generosity, and mercy?

Or perhaps today is a day for harvesting—being ready to explain the hope within you and to tell someone that the same hope is available to them.

We do not all do the same part of the work at the same time.

Some plant. Others water. Others harvest. But God is the One who gives the growth.