Sowing and Growing

“For you have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring Word of God.”  1 Peter 1:23

I don’t know if you know anything about farming, but the crowd Jesus was addressing in His Parable of the Sower (Matthew 13:1-9) must have. The illustration Jesus used is interesting and tells us a lot about our role in bringing lost sinners back to the Father. A farmer cannot make the crops grow, can he? He cannot control the weather or the condition of the soil.  His job is to diligently plant seeds. His work with the soil is dependent on many factors beyond his control. He cannot make the ground fertile. He can only steadfastly tend to it.

As followers of Jesus Christ, we have the privilege of sowing the seeds of the Gospel. It is interesting that in the Parable of the Sower, there is actually little focus on the sower.  There is not much focus on the seeds either. Most of the focus is on the ground…the soil where the seeds fall. What does this teach us about our role in spreading the Gospel? The harvest's success or failure depends not on the sower but on the soil. This is good news for us flawed, timid, and sometimes downright goofy sowers, isn’t it?

Our part in growing God’s Kingdom is to sow. The rest is up to God. Just like a farmer, we must diligently tend the ground and plant the seeds that God has entrusted to us. We cannot make it rain. We are not responsible for the seeds taking root and springing forth in faith. We must only sow, sow, sow. Only God can reach a person’s heart. Only He can open the eyes of the blind and give new life. He is the forgiver of sins and the giver of faith, not us. We are merely dedicated farmers so eager to see new growth that we sow seeds wherever we go.

Our techniques, talents, education, and eloquence are not what are important. Our willingness to sow is what matters. That is our part, our privilege, our calling. Are you sitting or sowing? You have in your hands the seeds of life.

Father, make me bold and confident in Your ability to use me, despite my fears, failures, and shortcomings. May my life be spent sowing the seeds of Your great love. In Jesus’ name, amen.