As a farmer, when I plant a seed, I want to see results. I want the plant to get up out of the ground quickly. I want it to be healthy. I want it to grow strong and produce an abundant crop. While there are several cultural practices I can do to help the plant produce, such as proper fertility, providing disease and insect protection, and proper and adequate weed control. There are important variables that I as a producer cannot control that are vital to accomplishing my goal. I can’t control the amount of sunshine, rain, or growing degree days the plant receives. I can’t protect it from frost, wind, or hail. When it comes to these factors I am helpless. I have to rely upon God.

The same is true when we sow the seed of the Gospel of Jesus. Jesus told us in Matthew 28:19-20
“Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20  teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

We sow the seed. We can do our best to prepare to share the word and share it. We are not the grower. God is the one who provides the growth and the production of faith in those we share it with. Paul acknowledged this in 1 Corinthians 3:6-7
“I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth. 7  So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God who gives the growth.”

I find myself discouraged when I share the good news of Jesus and I don’t see the response of faith in Jesus in the person I shared it with. I need to be reminded that I am the one who sows not the one who grows. I need to be faithful and obedient to sow, and let God work in the person’s heart.

Isaiah 55:10-11 says
“For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven and do not return there but water the earth, making it bring forth and sprout, giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater,
11  so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it.”

Let us be faithful and obedient to share the word. God is faithful, He will accomplish what He purposes.

In Christian Love,

Roger Brokaw, Elder