Everyone loves a good story. Parables were Jesus’ preferred teaching tool. To illustrate one or two important spiritual truths, He linked stories to his listeners’ daily life.
The parable of the sower is my favorite. The farmer spreads God’s Word. Then the story becomes primarily about the response to the message. As we share God’s saving grace to others, we too will witness various reactions.
As we live each day, we are indeed responsible only for our own actions. This parable, however, reminds us that we need to be aware of our surroundings. Sometimes our actions result in unintended negative consequences. We truly need to be more cognizant of life beyond our own selves. Sometimes our actions fall wasted on barren landscapes. And, sometimes…hopefully more times…our actions truly do bless those around us!
Turning to the farmer… The parable says precious little about him, actually. “As he was scattering the seed…” That’s it. We are not told of his preparation, his planning, neither his expertise nor his proficiency. Was he a novice or fourth-generation farmer? It does not seem to matter for the purpose of this parable.
He scatters the seed. Period. The Word goes out. He communicates. His job in this parable ceases.
As believers, we are all called to spread the Word. We are all farmers. Our preparation is less important that our willingness to farm. Am I ready to farm?
I look to the Lord to tend and mature my soul for the sowing.
He helps me put aside hasty assumptions about others, their situations, and their motives. He alone knows a person’s heart.
He helps me to persevere as His farmer and communicator. Even amidst the storms, the droughts, the hot winds of criticism, and the scorching heat of self-doubts, I am still called to farm.
My prayer: Help me, Lord, to live a life of integrity, purity and honesty. Give me the strength to choose rightly, to persevere boldly, and to not hinder Your message through my own actions. Guide me as I seek to live out this high calling.
Part 1 of 5: Read the next post on the Parable of the Sower.
(Read Jesus’ words in Matthew 13:1-23 Mark 4:1-20 Luke 8:4-15)
Posted by Sharon R. Hoover
Photo Credit: United Nations Photo via photo pin cc
