The Wake-Up Call — “You Had One Job...”

Host: John David Walt (Seedbed)
Date: March 24, 2026

Episode Overview

In this episode of The Wake-Up Call, John David Walt centers the reflection on 1 Corinthians 3:6, exploring the metaphor of sowing, watering, and growth in the Christian life. The main theme is our singular, critical responsibility as believers: to plant the seed of God’s word daily in our lives and in those around us, trusting God with the supernatural work of growth. Walt invites the community to re-orient their efforts away from striving and into faithful sowing, highlighting the collaborative roles of God, His Word, and the Holy Spirit in transforming lives.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Growth in the Christian Life: Who Does What?

• Walt opens by reflecting on transitions and growth, both at Seedbed and in personal faith.
• Scripture Focus:
  • “I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God has been making it grow.” (1 Corinthians 3:6 | [02:20])
  • The Bible is intrinsically about growth—“Every book, every letter, every story in one way or another is about growing in the likeness of Jesus Christ.” [02:45]
• Main insight:
  • Growth is God’s domain; our work is to sow (“We do not make things grow. We cannot make ourselves grow.” [03:33])
  • Referencing Mark 4: Jesus’ parable of seed grown in secret underscores that growth is often unseen and beyond human control.

2. Our One Job: Planting the Word

• Walt clarifies: “Our part is to plant the word of God in the soil of our lives.” ([05:15])
  • The seed is explicitly named as the Word of God (Luke 8:11).
  • Echoes Maxie’s daily affirmation: “Every day he plants the seed of this Word of God in the soil of his life.” ([06:10])
  • Recalls Colossians 1:27—“the secret is... Christ in you.”
• Practical Questions:
  • “What word of God are you planting in the soil of your life these days?” ([06:50])
  • “What seeds of Scripture are you scattering across the field of your soul?” ([07:00])
• Quote:
  • “Here's what we don't want to hear Jesus say: ‘You had one job.’” ([07:30])
  • “Whatever word you are planting, that word is prospering. It is growing the very goodness of God in your soul.” ([07:50])

3. Letting the Word Take Root: Practices and Testimonies

• Walt shares his daily practice:
  • Recites James 3:17 each morning—“the wisdom that comes from God is first of all pure, then peace, loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere.” ([09:10])
  • Revisits previous years' focus verses, like Isaiah’s “forget the former things… behold, I am doing a new thing.” ([09:43])
  • “All day long, I'm trying to just keep saying God's word… sowing that word in the soil of my own mind and heart.” ([10:25])
• Cites the Beatitudes as ongoing confessions over his children and youth group ([10:38]).
• Core Message:
  • “We've got nothing better to do than speak God’s word over our own lives, sowing that word in the soil of our own minds and hearts. Guys, this word is productive. It is powerful. It never returns to God void.” ([11:05])

4. The Role of the Spirit and the Power of Daily Affirmation

• Emphasizes the Spirit’s partnership:
  • “The seed is the Word of God. The water is the Spirit of God, the Holy Spirit. And it is by Word and Spirit that Jesus transforms us.” ([12:20])
  • Not about “trying harder,” but about “just taking in the seed, planting it, sowing it.” ([12:30])
• Personal Testimony:
  • Shares an internal dialogue in the shower: “John David, you’re my son, you’re my beloved. With you I am well pleased.” ([13:50])
  • Invites listeners to actively renounce despair and choose joy: “You have broken the yoke of sadness… Don't be afraid of joy.” ([14:35])

5. Musical Meditation: “I Rejoice in the Lord”

• Walt introduces and sings a personal worship song:
  • Lyrics:
    • “I rejoice, I rejoice in the Lord. I rejoice in you. It’s my choice to rejoice in you, Lord.” ([15:15]–[16:15])
  • Shares how repeated singing shifts his spirit—“the more I sing it, the more I mean it, and the more it becomes.” ([16:25])
  • Visualizes spiritual freedom: “the chains of despair and the relics of sadness are just laying on the ground.” ([16:45])

6. Applying the Teaching: Breaking Negative Patterns

• Honest about the tendency to “worry [his] prayers” ([17:30]), contrasting anxious, repetitive prayer with the power of speaking and responding to God’s word.
• Encourages transforming inner narratives: “I renounce despair because you have broken the yoke of sadness.” ([14:29])

7. Community & Practical Next Steps

• Walt plugs opportunities to participate and sow into others:
  • Facebook group: “just full of love… I'd love to hear how you do this every day.” ([13:25])
  • Promotion for the upcoming “Unpuzzled” Easter series and workbook: buy one, sow one for a friend—“If you’ll buy one, I’ll buy you one.” ([18:00])
  • Invitation to pastors and ‘super sowers’ to join field teams and spread resources in their communities. ([20:45])
• Closing encouragement:
  • “We’ve got the cure. We’ve got the solution. It’s on us now to sow it. It’ll be on Jesus to grow it.” ([21:20])

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “We do not make things grow. We cannot make ourselves grow.” — John David Walt ([03:33])
• “Our job is to plant the seed of God’s Word in our lives every single day.” ([07:10])
• “Whatever word you are planting, that word is prospering. It is growing the very goodness of God in your soul.” ([07:50])
• “We got nothing better to do than speak God’s word over our own lives, sowing that word in the soil of our own minds and hearts.” ([11:04])
• “The seed is the Word of God. The water is the Spirit of God… and that is a requirement. That was our one job.” ([12:20])
• “The more I sing it, the more I mean it. And the more I mean it, the more it becomes. It just fills my spirit. And I look down on the ground and the chains of despair and the relics of sadness are just laying on the ground.” ([16:20])
• “It's on us now to sow it. It'll be on Jesus to grow it.” ([21:18])

Important Timestamps & Segments

• Opening Reflection - Growth Metaphor: [00:00–03:30]
• Scripture Foundation & Distinct Roles: [03:30–06:50]
• Our Job: Planting the Word: [06:50–07:50]
• Daily Practice & Affirmation: [09:09–11:50]
• Role of the Holy Spirit: [12:20–13:30]
• Renouncing Despair & Choosing Joy: [13:50–15:00]
• Musical Moment — "I Rejoice" Song: [15:15–16:15]
• Encouragement & Breaking Patterns: [16:20–18:00]
• Community Invitations & Resources: [18:01–21:18]
• Final Blessing: [21:18–21:35]

Further Reflection & Application

Journal Prompts (from episode):

• Have you ever considered that no matter how technologically advanced the world gets, it still can't make a seed grow?
• The soil matters, but the secret is in the seed. How does this increase your confidence in the Word of God?

Summary

Walt’s warm, practical encouragement reminds listeners that spiritual growth is both simpler and more powerful than our striving: sow the Word faithfully and trust God’s process. Through song, testimony, and direct application, the episode calls for daily, intentional planting of Scripture, openness to the Spirit, and engagement with others as “sowers.” The central message is clear: You had one job—plant the seed. God will cause the growth.