Our calling is to tell others about Jesus… to sow the seeds. God does the work in the heart.
Scripture reading: Mark 4:26-29; 1 Corinthians 3:6-7; Matthew 28:19; Mark 16:15
“I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase.” 1 Corinthians 3:6 KJV
I stood in front of the rack as my children went round and round, surveying the variety of seed packets. It was supposed to be a quick trip to the store, but the moment they saw the display, their faces lit up. My face was not nearly as enthusiastic. I am not skilled with plants at all, and truth be told, I could easily earn the title of worst gardener ever. But how could I say ‘no’ when my children were so excited about gardening? It didn’t take long for them both to agree on watermelons… not sunflowers or marigolds that might require less water or care, but watermelons that need lots of water in an area that always seems to have dry summers.
We planted the seeds and remained diligent in watering for about a week. However, as summer activities increased, the garden dropped on the priority list. A few seeds sprouted but quickly wilted away.
A year passed, and my husband decided to put in an above-ground pool. He ordered the pool kit and, using a blade on his lawn tractor, leveled the area for the pool. He pushed the extra dirt to a low spot at the back of our property and scattered grass seed on the bare soil. Toward the end of the summer, the grass in that spot had become tall and dense enough to be cut. However, the problem was that when he went to mow that area, there was not only grass but also lots of watermelons.
In Scripture, we are commanded to share the gospel… to tell the world about salvation found through our Savior Jesus Christ (See Matthew 28:19; Mark 16:15). Yet, it can be discouraging when the message is rejected or not immediately accepted. In Mark 4:26-29, Jesus tells of the farmer who sows the seed, but how it grows, the man does not know because it is God who actually makes the seed to “…spring and grow up…” (Mark 4:27 KJV). And so it is as we sow the seeds of the Gospel, God does the work in the heart. Paul addresses this same issue in 1 Corinthians 3:6 as he explains, “I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase” (KJV).
Just as the watermelon seeds grew unexpectedly much later, we have no idea when or how God will work with the seeds of the Gospel that we sow. When I was a child, I witnessed my grandmother’s unshakable faith, diligent Bible study, and devoted prayer life. Yet, those seeds didn’t truly come to maturity in my life until she had gone to be with the Lord.
May we show God’s love in all we say and do, diligently obeying His call to share the message of salvation, trusting the outcome and timing to Him and the working of the Holy Spirit.
