October 11, 2024 Casting Seeds
Friday, October 11, 2024
Casting Seeds
To a crowd that gathered, Jesus said,
What do you make of this? A farmer planted seed.
As he scattered the seed, some of it fell on the road, and birds ate it.
Some fell in the gravel; it sprouted quickly but didn’t put down roots, so when the sun came up it withered just as quickly.
Some fell in the weeds; as it came up, it was strangled by the weeds.
Some fell on good earth and produced a harvest beyond his wildest dreams.
Matthew 13:3-8, Message
Last spring I scattered Nasturtium flower seeds in my garden and planted some in patio pots. Those in the garden never sprouted, possibly having served only as bird food. Several sprouts emerged in the patio pot and small petals formed, only to be eaten overnight by pesky rabbits. While I remained hopeful new flower petals would reform, the bare stems withered and died in the Texas sun. A week later, one lone flower stem sprouted and grew into the lovely Nasturium I had hoped to see.
I often read today’s scripture with the urge to reflect on which kind of seed am I … the fruitful one or not? Yet, today a different thought caught my heart as I weighed whether to press forward or not with an opportunity.
What if God means for me to be the farmer in this story, scattering the seeds of gifts, talents, and treasure He gives me? What if He means for me to do so without expectations of which will grow and mature and which will not?
If following Christ’s example, our responsibility is only to scatter and plant the seeds God provides to us. Some will not take root; some will for a brief time but then wither and fade before fully developed; others will take root and blossom into an eye-catching beauty. Our responsibility, though, ends with the scattering and nurturing – not pre-determining which seeds will grow, and which will not. That outcome, is up to God:
I planted the seed, Apollos watered the plants, but God made you grow.
I Corinthians 3:6, Message
When compelled by His Spirit, act. Take the opportunity to scatter the seeds of God’s Word and love of Jesus: do the good deed, say the kind word, serve where He beckons, touch the untouchable. We might be surprised at what takes root and grows.
Reflect: When was a time your seed-scattering stalled while you tried to pre-determine if it was worth the effort or not? How does stepping into the role of the farmer change your thinking about seed scattering?
Pray: Father God, thank You for the seeds You have entrusted to me—my gifts, talents, and treasures. Help me embrace the role of the farmer, faithfully scattering these seeds while leaving the outcome to You. In the name of Jesus, Amen.
By His Grace,
Gloria Ashby
Lay Leader