How many of us used to occupy our free time with Farmville?
You remember don’t you. We got a little plot of ground, tilled the soil, planted crops and had to have the help of our friends to get a good harvest. It was just a silly game but some of us made real friends with our Farmville neighbors.
This morning I sat here thinking about what to share. Two words came to mind – Survive or Thrive.
When we face a crisis in life we can do one or the other. We can pull in and emotionally block out all that is around us and hope we survive or we can utilize the resources we have at our disposal and thrive.
Jesus was teaching his disciples about thriving when He told them this parable.
“A farmer went out to sow his seed. Some of it fell on the road; it was tramped down and the birds ate it. Other seed fell in the gravel; it sprouted, but withered because it didn’t have good roots. Other seed fell in the weeds; the weeds grew with it and strangled it. Other seed fell in rich earth and produced a bumper crop.
“Are you listening to this? Really listening?” 9 His disciples asked, “Why did you tell this story?”…11-12 “This story is about some of those people. The seed is the Word of God. The seeds on the road are those who hear the Word, but no sooner do they hear it than the Devil snatches it from them so they won’t believe and be saved.
13 “The seeds in the gravel are those who hear with enthusiasm, but the enthusiasm doesn’t go very deep. It’s only another fad, and the moment there’s trouble it’s gone. 14 “And the seed that fell in the weeds—well, these are the ones who hear, but then the seed is crowded out and nothing comes of it as they go about their lives worrying about tomorrow, making money, and having fun. 15 “But the seed in the good earth—these are the good-hearts who seize the Word and hold on no matter what, sticking with it until there’s a harvest.” Luke 8:5-15 MSG
Jesus told his disciples that the seed being planted was God’s word. Many things would try to keep the seed from producing a good harvest; hard hearts, troubles, being too busy, too focused on making a living.
And then there’s the good soil. The rocks have been removed, the soil has been cultivated, watered and some one is there to remove the weeds. Seed planted in that soil will bring a harvest of blessing.
During my lifetime I have been all of those different kinds of soil. God’s word, the seed, has been the same but I have thwarted its growth. But now, I am prepared to pull out the weeds of worry and fear, hard heartedness and selfishness.
Just like we needed our “friends” in Farmville to help us achieve a good crop we need our true friends to pray for us and encourage us, helping us as God’s word grows in our garden.
I am praying for all of you today. I pray that you have the strength and determination to let God’s Word grow and produce a harvest of blessing.
Our heavenly Father wants to us thrive – not just survive!