God’s produce

‘Once there was a man who went out to sow grain. As he scattered the seed, some of it fell along the path, where it was stepped on, and the birds ate it up. Some of it fell on rocky ground, and when the plants sprouted, they dried up because the soil had no moisture. Some of the seed fell among thornbushes, which grew up with the plants and choked them. And some seeds fell in good soil; the plants grew and bore grain, a hundred grains each.’ (verses 5-8a)

Read Luke 8: 1-15

All of us, at various times, are like the different categories of seed that Jesus mentions in this parable. You hear God’s word or read it, and you suddenly realise you were miles away in your thoughts. Your mind hasn’t absorbed a word. But God persists with you, and with all of us. God gives endless opportunities for you to also be like the seed that fell in good ground.

Workers in God’s field must often feel disillusioned as the seed is sown but then fails to produce faith or any change in behaviour. Even where things look promising, the workers have learnt not to hold their breath. Time alone will tell if faith is real. Not hoping for too much makes disappointment easier for them to bear.

You too are a worker in God’s field. You believe in Jesus and what he has done for you, and you act according to those beliefs. You show by your life the hope that is in you. Do you also sometimes become disillusioned?

Jesus is realistic. You look at the seed that is wasted, and you despair because of it. Jesus, however, looks at the seed that produces a good crop. He knows how hard the human heart is, but he continues to sow. The more seeds that are planted the more chance there is of people hearing and responding.

Lord God, thank you that your word has taken root and produced fruit in my life. Help me to keep sowing the seed of your word, and make me confident that it will produce a rich harvest. Amen.

by Alicia Simpfendorfer, in ‘God’s Peace for each Day’ (LCA, Openbook, 2005)

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