(Part 3 of 5. The series begins here.)
Some of the farmer’s seeds fall on rocks. The seed sprouts with vigor. New life, however, is fleeting. The plant withers when the sun rises and the heat intensifies. Essentially, it is lost.
The seed is God’s Word. Some people hear His message of grace with great joy. Like fireworks on the 4th of July, faith and love burst forth. Then … crises creep in and doubts rise on the horizon. Faith fades. Essentially, it is lost.
I have seen new believers receive the Word of God with great joy and wonder! They seize new life with passion. They live in a holy glow…until … the world crushes them. Screaming arguments with family, ridicule from friends, disease strikes down a loved one. They wither. All is lost.
What is my role? How can I help … not only plant but also nurture the seed?
Where is the living water? The life-giving moisture for the newly-germinated life? Where is the church? Where are her followers?
We the church need to provide the needed nourishment for the new believer. We need to teach and to serve the H20. We must better prepare saplings in the faith to withstand the trials of testing, persecution, and conflict. While being so focused on the moment of salvation, we must not neglect the demanding road of discipleship and daily sanctification.
My prayer: Help me, Lord, to have a humble and contrite heart. Guide me to point new believers to You…not just to the latest Bible Study workbook, quiet time method, or fellowship events. All of these are good but they are not You. Reveal, Lord, how to touch each person so they will seek you. Then, help me to gracefully step out of the way as You do business in and through their life.
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: madison.murphy via photo pin cc
