Ecclesiastes 11:4-8

Perfect conditions

_{He who observes the wind will not sow, and he who regards the clouds will not reap. ~ Ecclesiastes 11:4}

This is one of Jack’s and my favorite sayings. When the weather forecast predicts rain, wind, or less-than-ideal conditions, we just smile and remind each other, “Don’t worry about the weather but instead pray about God’s provision to get the plan accomplished, we’re still going to do what we planned for the day anyway.”

But it’s not just about the weather. This verse speaks to any decision we make that depends on external circumstances. I might make a plan, but when the time comes, it’s easy to find an excuse like maybe I don’t feel like it anymore, or something comes up with family or a friend, and I convince myself that anyone would cancel under these circumstances. It’s kind of a running joke with us, but deep down, it holds a reminder I often need: if I wait for everything to be perfect, I’ll never move forward in life.

Life rarely gives us perfect timing, perfect conditions, or perfect clarity. But God doesn’t need perfect, He just needs us to keep sowing seeds.

Today’s scripture reading is a powerful reminder that waiting on the “right” moment can keep us stuck. Watching the wind won’t plant the seeds. Staring at the clouds won’t bring the harvest. When we commit our ways to the Lord, He is always working, whether we see it or not. Even if it doesn’t look like things are moving, when we surrender our plans to Him, He’s working all things together for good.

Just like we can’t see the wind or fully understand how a baby is formed in the womb, we don’t always see or understand how God is moving behind the scenes. But that doesn’t mean He isn’t at work.

Here are some ways you can start putting this principle into action today:

• Start where you are. Don’t wait for everything to feel “just right.”
• Pray, then take a step. Plant a seed, whether that means starting a conversation, beginning a project, encouraging someone, or showing up to serve.
• Don’t stop when it feels inconvenient. Verse 6 reminds us not to withhold our hand in the evening, keep sowing even when it’s late in the day or energy is low. You never know which seed God will multiply.
• Trust the process. Some of the most fruitful things in life come from the most unexpected moments.

This passage also reminds us to enjoy the days we’re given. Life is a gift. Don’t waste it waiting on “ideal conditions.” Light is sweet. Sunshine is beautiful. The good days and the hard ones are all part of the journey, and none of them are wasted when we walk in obedience.

So today, I want to encourage you to keep sowing. Keep trusting. Keep showing up. God knows exactly how to work with what you give Him. You don’t need to have it all figured out, just be faithful with what’s in your hands. The harvest will come, and on the other side of your obedience, someone else will be impacted for all eternity.

Today’s scripture reading: Ecclesiastes 11:4-8

4 He who observes the wind will not sow, and he who regards the clouds will not reap.

5 As you do not know what is the way of the wind, or how the bones grow in the womb of her who is with child, so you do not know the works of God who makes everything.

6 In the morning sow your seed, and in the evening do not withhold your hand; For you do not know which will prosper, either this or that, or whether both alike will be good.

7 Truly the light is sweet, and it is pleasant for the eyes to behold the sun;

8 But if a man lives many years and rejoices in them all, yet let him remember the days of darkness, for they will be many. All that is coming is vanity.