April 29, 2018

Plant Seeds of Faith

“The farmer sows the word. Some people are like seed along the path, where the word is sown. As soon as they hear it, Satan comes and takes away the word that was sown in them. Others, like seed sown on rocky places, hear the word and at once receive it with joy. But since they have no root, they last only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, they quickly fall away. Still others, like seed sown among the thorns, hear the word; but the worries of this life, the deceitfulness of wealth and the desires for other things come in and choke the word, making it unfruitful. Others, like seed sown on good soil, hear the word, accept it, and produce a crop – some thirty, some sixty, some a hundred times what was sown.” – Mark 4:14-20

Yesterday I picked English peas. There aren’t too many yet but I have high hopes for more to come. I am so excited!

I’ve never planted anything before. I’ve hoed weeds. I’ve picked more vegetables than I can count, then shelled and prepared them for the freezer. But I’ve never been the one to plant the seed. That was always my Dad’s job. But he’s gone now so it was up to me.

I didn’t go blindly into my adventure. My cousin helped me put the plow on to prepare the soil. I asked at the co-op how deep to plant the seeds. I planted them with a hoe. Sometimes simple and steady are the best methods.

Isn’t that true when talking with people about our faith? We all want to make the big splash, to give the dynamite talk, to bring others to their knees before God. But talking to people about our faith is rarely what draws them to Jesus. Oh, it’s important to share. I don’t mean we should stay silent. But people learn more when they observe how we actually live our lives of faith.

One thing I’ve come to know is that those who preach the gospel loudest (I’m not talking about pastors here) are usually the ones who are most focused on themselves. They’re trying so hard to win people to Jesus but their heart is about looking good instead of bringing God glory. Unfortunately for everyone, it shows.

It’s like the people who go to church every Sunday, get very involved in their church, then spread lies and deceit around like it’s candy. They are quick to judge everyone but themselves. Hypocrites are what they’re called. There’s a double-mindedness that makes them think the “rules” don’t apply to them.

I am not a perfect person. No one on this earth is. But when we try our best to tend the soil where God has planted us, we end up producing in ways we never imagined.

I have no idea how many peas my tiny garden will produce. It doesn’t really matter. What matters is that I planted seeds in good faith, tended the soil on a regular basis, and rejoiced as the plants grew and blossomed into something so incredibly amazing.

Do the same for the people in your life. Plant tiny seeds of faith, tend them well and rejoice in every small victory. It’s amazing what can happen when a few seeds of faith are planted in good soil.