Growing in… useless?

This morning, I began the process of processing pumpkins for pies and bread. When I cut open this massive gourd, I found the surprise you can see in this picture. New life.

But wait. Is it? Life, I mean?

The seed has sprouted, but it is inside the pumpkin.

Recently I’ve heard of someone who spends massive amounts of time studying the Bible.

This person seems to be studying to prove salient facts about the life of Jesus. I looked over some of the material that I was shown, and the words that filled my mind were those of James, the brother of Jesus written in chapter 1, verse 22:

But don’t just listen to God’s word. You must do what it says. Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves.

When I saw this sprouted seed inside the pumpkin this morning, that thought came full circle to me. Devouring the word of God is an awesome thing. A seed sprouting is an incredible miracle.

A seed sprouting where it cannot grow and produce is useless.

Is it the same for a believer who only listens to God’s word and doesn’t do what it says?