As I looked back on the last blog, there was one last point that occurred to me that I want to put here.
So often, I think of the farmer as Jesus. But I think it’s equally if not even more valid to think of the farmer as Christians.
Because while Jesus was here for a short time, planting the words of God in the hearts of people, it is we, here and now, who are planting the seeds in the hearts of people today.
Taken that way, I think there’s one more valuable lesson to take from this parable.
Sometimes, as we plant the word of God in people’s hearts, as we scatter the seed, some seeds fall on hardened hearts. People hear us, but they don’t understand, and Satan quickly snatches that seed away.
Other people hear it, and we’re encouraged because they get excited. Perhaps, they even make a profession of faith. But then trouble or persecution comes, they get discouraged, and they fall away.
In other cases, people receive the word and start to grow. But then work starts to get in the way of their relationship with God. Or they start getting too wrapped up in money or possessions.
Maybe they still go to church every Sunday, but they no longer grow. They bear no fruit.
But for other people, they hear the word of God, and in their lives, they produce the fruit of God, making an impact for his kingdom.
What’s my point? We are not responsible for the results. We cannot shape people’s hearts. What can we do?
Plant the seed. Water it. And then pray. Paul put it this way: one person plants, another person waters, but only God can make the seed grow. (1 Corinthians 3:6-7)
Do you get discouraged because the seeds you plant don’t seem to bear fruit? You can’t control that. All you can do is keep planting the seed. Keep watering it. And leave the rest to God.
How about you? Are you planting the seed in the hearts of the people around you?
Moment to Moment (Bible blog) 