Hey friends; it is easy to get discouraged when you plant something and it doesn’t seem to grow (at least on our schedule). I was reading the Parable of The Growing Seed in Mark 4:26-29 today. It gave me a lot of encouragement and I’d like to pass it on to you. The parable is only three verses long. It states, “The Kingdom of God is as if a man should scatter seed on the ground, and should sleep by night and rise by day, and the seed should sprout and grow, he himself does not know how. For the earth yields crops by itself: first the blade, then the head, after that the full grain in the head. But when the grain ripens, immediately he puts in the sickle, because the harvest has come.”
We all scatter seed at one time or another. It may be a financial investment, a new venture, or perhaps someone who we mentor or befriend. We scatter our seed and in due time we expect a harvest. When that harvest is delayed we are prone to discouragement and frustration, but this parable reminds us that is silly.
In the parable, the farmer scatters his seed and then he sleeps by night and rises by day (trusting that God’s Laws will take over and his seed will grow). He himself does not know “how” the seed will grow because that is God’s work. He just scatters and then rests. He doesn’t worry over the seed, nag the seed or try and force the seed to grow; he just scatters his seed, continues being a farmer and trusts God’s process. Then the earth does its part and yields a crop – first the blade, then the head, then the full grain in the head. When the grain is fully ripe, the farmer’s only work is to collect his harvest.
We can learn from this. When our harvest doesn’t seem to be happening, it is important that we dig in with stubborn faith and trust in God’s process. No one really knows what makes plants grow. Throw in some soil, sunlight, water and minerals and “something happens” that yield a crop. That is God’s business. That is the part that we would like to control, but we can’t. The only wise response is to wait expectantly and to trust that our seed is taking root – that God is providing everything to bring it to full maturity. When your grain is fully ripe, your harvest will surely come.
Image by rbcgrain.com
Wayne, this is an awesome clarification of roles in the Kingdom of God. It is my responsibility to work the gift (the seed) God has given me, but not to worry about the harvest. My job is to work and rest. God will bring the harvest in due seasons.
ReplyDeleteAbundant Blessings My Brother.
Adrian Freeman
adrianspeaks.com
Hello Wayne,
ReplyDeleteAs I read the post I could not help to think how crafty the work of GOD can be. So precise and always on point and ultimately creating and making things happen when and where they need to happen. The other day, I saw a beautiful plant growing on an "abandoned" piece of property I have and decided to uproot the plant and bring it home. I gave that plant all the TLC a plant can possibly receive and to my surprise it died within a few days. I asked myself "why did I interfere with the work of GOD?"
GOD will make it happen... Our job is to trust and wait.
I have a good feeling I am going to enjoy your writings.
Your friend,
Mark Lugo
Adrian and mark; Thanks for the comments and encouragement. I've been silent for a few days, while I shut up for a while and give God the opportunity to speak. God bless both of you abundantly! Wayne
ReplyDelete