The Story of the Seeds

Jesus had been telling a story to the crowds around Him. But He knew very well that most of His listeners wouldn’t have a clue what he was really talking about. The story was all about seeds: sowing on bad ground, stony ground – and good ground with a harvest that followed.

The disciples were a bit mystified too, and Jesus explained. It’s all about being obedient to what you have heard. Jesus offers us life, fruitfulness in God’s kingdom, a life of nurturing that seed that is planted, until the crop ripens and brings a harvest of eternal life and blessing all around us.

I used to think of big evangelistic campaigns as the planting of the seed. And when the host church had a bumper crop of new church members in the weekly Bible study group – that was the fruit, the harvest. Not a bit! Jesus is talking about a lifetime’s worth of growing and nurturing, right up until the time we die.

I have felt God speaking so much to me recently about my nurturing that seed: my giving – of myself in service, of my possessions, my time, my attentive love, and care for those in need; for those around me, right where I am. This is quite challenging where I live, in a fairly isolated little village, surrounded by miles of hillsides and open land.

But we all have gifts.  It may be acts of service. We have cars, can offer lifts, do shopping for others. We have skills to give, ears to hear and to listen to others, to spend time and give time. We can always pray. We have expertise in helping, mending, organising, showing love, being kind. We may even have opportunity to say something.

For you, in your area, the needs may be different – but we can all ask God to show us where we can give of ourselves and our love, our fun, and hospitality, our time, and help among the people where we are, whether neighbours, or at work, clubs, societies, perhaps even in church.