Lessons from the Sower

Since graduation, my life has become 100% about ministry in the church, and it's kinda crazy. Three out of the seven days in a week are spent doing something ministry related. One of those days, Sunday, has more than one ministry on the same day. Most people would look at this and say "you're crazy! Aren't you burning out?" Well, to be honest....I love it! Being able to serve with others is an amazing privilege. One that I would not wish to trade. Unfortunately, it may become more difficult to be so heavily involved in ministry once I find a job (sad day), but in order to keep ministering in such ways, a source of income will be needed! At some point over this next year, I am likely to become more involved in ministries as well. I have been approached to possibly help with a drama ministry, and also know that Dove Singers will begin in January and run through April (two Sundays before Easter). My life is about to be completely consumed with ministry, and the part that hurts the most is knowing that something may need to be cut back with the addition of a job...whenever that happens.

Tuesday night, I was struck with this even a bit more during the Youth Bible study. The group has been going over Bible study fundamentals (observation, interpretation, application), and this past Tuesday was the application night. It was great to hear some of the questions and comments that were raised and shared.

Tuesday night we were discussing Matthew 13, specifically the parable of the sower and the seeds. Here is a copy of the text (Matthew 13:1-9, 18-23. NIV):

"That same day Jesus went out of the house and sat by the lake. Such large crowds gathered around him that he got into a boat and sat in it, while all the people stood on the shore. Then he told them many things in parables, saying: "A farmer went out to sow his seed. As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up. Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow. But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no root. Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants. Still other seed fell on good soil, where it produced a crop - a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown. He who has ears, let him hear. ... ... Listen to what the parable of the sower means: When anyone hears the message about the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what was sown in his heart. This is the seed sown along the path. The one who received the seed that fell on rocky places is the man who hears the word and at once receives it with joy. But since he has no root, he lasts only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, he quickly falls away. The one who received the seed that fell among the thorns is the man who hears the word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke it, making it unfruitful. But the one who received the seed that fell on good soil is the man who hears the word and understands it. He produces a crop, yielding a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown."

Alright, without going through all of the individual steps of Bible study right here, I'd like to share what stands out to me in this passage.

First, the sower didn't stop and think about whether the soil was "ready" for the "seed" in any of these instances. He went out and did his job of sowing the seeds on all soil. How many times, as Christians, do we sit back wondering if a person is ready to hear the Gospel? Unfortunately, I would say too many times... The sower went out, did his job, and left the individual responsibility up to the individuals.

Second, and this will sound similar to the first in the beginning, the seeds were sown everywhere...no matter what. This reminds me of the passage where it says "man is left without excuse" (Rom. 1:20). The evidence of God is everywhere; in creation, in beauty, in people (we are all made in HIS image), and it should be in the lives of those who love Him. The attitudes and behaviors of Christians should also be such that people are left without an excuse. Yeah, that's not convicting at all....

Third, verse 9 ends by saying "he who has ears, let him hear." This is again said at the end of the seven letters to the seven churches in Revelation. I'm not entirely sure what the parallel between Matthew and Revelation would be, but I do know that this (once again) places the responsibility on the individual. The Truth is displayed for all to see, but it is up to each person as to whether the grasp the Truth, and then it is up to the individual as to what they do with the Truth. Much like the seeds and the soil in the parable, itself. Hmm, full circle, double smack upside the head, anyone?

Fourth, have you ever considered the size of a seed? I realize that different types of seeds come in different sizes. For example, a squash seed is far smaller than a pumpkin seed. I get that.... But have you ever considered the size of a seed, any kind of seed, to the size of a weed? Or perhaps the size of a garden? Or maybe even the size of road? Some roads stretch clear across the country! If seeds are to be planted, and to grab people's attention and make them go "oh what's this?" shouldn't those seeds be rather....potent? Shouldn't those seeds be some of the most interesting seeds ever? Then what are we doing, as Christians, sitting around and not getting outside of our own doors and interacting with people?? No wonder the world thinks we're so mysterious and almost like a cult! Along with this, the sower had to go out! He didn't wait for the soil to come to him! Oh no, he went out into the world of soil and said "here, if you're interested, this seed will be sitting here. If not, well, someone else will take it, I'm sure."

Fifth, we need to be tending to our own gardens, as well as sowing seeds, to make sure that we do not become overrun with weeds and thorns. We need to make sure that, as we are sowing seeds, we are not allowing our own gardens to be polluted by things that will choke out our plants. We are commanded to be ready to give answer as to the hope that we have (1 Peter 3:15), how are we supposed to be ready if our roots have become shallow and our gardens have been overrun by thorny weeds?

Brothers and sisters, we have been called to be in the world, but not of the world. Please, let us sow the seeds of His Word without hesitation. Let us stop living in such a way that gives men an excuse for not encountering Christ. And let us hold each other accountable for tending to our gardens.

Let us do as we have been called. Let us be the Church. Let us be found faithful.