The Sower

“That same day Jesus went out of the house … he told them many things in parables, saying: A farmer went out to sow his seed.” Matt. 13

This is like a beautiful video playing in my mind as I read these words about “the sower”. It could be a National Geographic special for all of its color and impact. The picture of the farmer with the seed bag over one shoulder and the deft symmetrical sweeping movements of his arm as the seeds are perfectly spilling out between his fingers. Even though few of us live in an agricultural setting, we get the picture, and it tells the story in a most eloquent way. It is both a realistic portrayal of a spiritual truth and a memorable picture that we both enjoy and understand.

However, as I read and re-read this story it gives me a very uneasy feeling. Instead of focusing on the wonder of this picture process of the spreading of the gospel, I find my mind drawn to another reality. There is a fact of the kingdom that is and always has been troubling to me. It is a harsh reminder that about three fourths of my “sowing” of the life-giving gospel will wind up being non productive. According to this illustration, most of what I do in kingdom work will not result in a harvest of any kind. On the surface that may merely seem like a sad take on this well-known story. But for me, at this point, the three fourths is not about some lack of wheat at the appointed time. What breaks my heart is that this “three fourths” has to do with people; real flesh and blood people whom I love. I can easily begin to think of some of them as the “three fourths” and it brings me to tears. For any of us who carry the blessing and the burden of knowing and sharing the Good News that the Lord has entrusted to us, this is very thought provoking. What about that guy at work, that lady who does nails, the mechanic at the garage that I know quite well? Which of them are the one fourth and which of them are among the three fourths? If I did not have a serious concern about this, I would feel guilty. So, then I begin to think that perhaps if I could do a better job of “sowing” it would make the difference. Then I begin to feel like perhaps I should not even have been entrusted with the “seed” in the first place. And before long I am taking on the responsibility for the harvest. Thankfully I hear the voice of the Savior whisper … “That is a burden far too heavy for you to bear.” Then I remember that the “sower” was simply responsible to sow. He had no control over the germination, growth, and flowering of the harvest. That process belongs to the Creator alone. Then again in his rather quiet voice the Lord whispers to me, “leave the process to me, and rejoice in the “one fourth”. Talk about moving from the burden to the blessing, that does it for me. I think of those whom the Lord has reached, the seed that has sprouted and grown, and my heart can truly rejoice.

The reality behind this story is becoming stronger by the day. I am not taking responsibility for the entire process that only God knows. However, I am responsible “to sow”. And, when I sow the Good News within the fields of my community, I can be assured that law of the harvest that God has established will bring to pass the harvest in his time and in his way. Then as I read a little further, I’m told: “Still other seed fell on good soil, where it produced a crop – a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown. He who has ears let him hear.” Lord thank you for the harvest that I see. Tomorrow I will continue to “sow” and continue to be blessed at the amazing results.