Sowing the Seed

The sower in Jesus’ parable ) “who went forth to sow” didn’t plant seeds one by one in pots or window boxes. He was broadcasting the seed. And the seed he cast fell on all kinds of soil—a tamped roadway, a rocky patch, a thorny hedge, and a fertile plain. He was indiscriminate in casting the seed. He threw it everywhere—and left the soil to receive the seed as it would.

One of our families has worked and worked to invite some new neighbors to the services. They promised to come, but never showed. Later a conversation about biblical worship appeared to turn them off about ever visiting. That kind of response can be discouraging. But whether that lovable young family next door ever visits the services, the seed has been sown. They know that they have neighbors that are serious about the Lord and His word, that are genuinely interested in them, who ran the risk of talking to them frankly but gently about serious matters of concern to man’s eternal destiny. Good seed has been sown. And perhaps in good season, it will take root, and grow, and eventually bear fruit. But it also may not. That’s the difficulty of sowing seed and the reality of hearts with free will. But we can’t just plow in one spot. We are sowers. We must distribute the seed and leave it to the Lord to give the increase.

Opening the Door

“What are your plans for the summer?” That’s a natural question to ask this time of year. And that simple question leads naturally to telling someone about your plans for the summer. Rather than just talking about a family vacation, or some home improvement projects, why not introduce the Lectures into the conversation!

Are you taking time off from work that week or delaying your family vacation until the Lectures are over? Then tell someone about it, and tell them why. What is it about the Lectures that is special? Tell them in your own words about the singing, about the folks who travel from other places, about the preaching, about the number and the quality of the young people who attend, about the special and spiritual kind of recreation the Lectures provides to strengthen your character and faith. Tell them about one of the lessons you’re interested in hearing, or one of the preachers who’s coming. Tell them about the first song on the first night of the Lectures. Tell them about the family that comes every year and stays in your house. Then you can invite them to come. Or if you convince them of the benefits of that week, they may be asking you. A simple question can open the door to a great conversation about spiritual topics.

Leaving the Light On

Tim King is back in St. Petersburg, Florida in Spring Training. He’s been a Christian less than six months. His fellow baseball players see the local preacher, Charles Murray, and his wife, Chris, pick him up at the hotel for services. They see him read his Bible every morning. They see him pray before he eats his meals. They know that he’s “quit dippin’.” His roommate has been going to church with him the last few weeks. After a hard day of practice, he told Tim that he didn’t much feel like going to services that night. Tim replied, “I did everything you did today, plus I pitched! I’m tired too, but I’m going to church. You’re just making excuses.” His roommate came along. Word has gotten around the ball club about Tim King—not about his pitching, but about his spirituality. This past Thursday evening, Tim went to the preacher’s house for a Bible study—and four ball players went with him. Afterwards, they all made plans to go to services with him this morning in St. Petersburg. Tim told Charles Murray when he left, “Preach the best conversion sermon you’ve got this Sunday!”

Tim’s situation is somewhat unique. He’s around a bunch of young men who are all trying to make it in baseball. They’re at an exciting, but stressful, and rapidly changing time in they’re life. They have all just left home for an unfamiliar place and an unpredictable future in the world of sports. A young man like Tim whose spiritual habits demonstrate that he has something even more exciting happening in his life than baseball (or even Leah Hyde) is a bright light in a land of uncertain dreams. Tim’s in a ripe field. But he’s not alone. Young athletes struggling to succeed aren’t the only ones coping with change. Look around you—your work place, your classroom, your neighborhood, the bank you use, the restaurants you frequent. There are people all around you trying to find their way in the dark. Are you leaving the light on for them? Quietly but confidently showing your faith, explaining it when they ask, and inviting or recommending that they “come and see” when the opportunity presents itself. If a six-month old in the Lord’s kingdom can do that, so can you.