If you're a farmer, there's a lot of work to be done, but ultimately, you can't make the crops grow. You can't go out into the field and pull crops out of the ground -- you have to keep weeding and watering, but you can only create the best environment possible and hope that things work out like you expect. It's a little like raising children -- some things are beyond your control.
Paul is reminding the Corinthian church that it's the Holy Spirit that makes things grow. The same is true of every church -- pastors and leaders and members can do everything possible to create the best environment, but ultimately, it's the work of the Holy Spirit to lead things forward.
It's a helpful thing to remember. It doesn't free us of responsibility, but it does remind us who is really in charge.
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