scattering

“As he was scattering the seed, . . . “   Mt. 13:4 (NIV)

“ . . . what was sown in their heart.”  Mt. 13:19 (NIV)

Jesus tells a parable about a farmer who scatters seeds.  As I listen, I’m perturbed by how haphazard it sounds:  scattering seed in such a careless manner that it goes all over the place – in the road, in the gravel, in the weeds, and then finally in the plowed soil where I would expect that it’s intended to be.  This approach seems so foolish to me.  And yet, this is how Jesus appears to perform his work, scattering his stories to every person in every place in such a relaxed manner that it appears haphazard to my earthly eye.  However, his modus operandi seems to accomplish what Jesus intends from it.  Perhaps his relaxed, careless style attracted exactly the people that he wanted to reach.  But to my earthly thinking, I can’t help but doubt the efficiency of such an approach.

As I ponder this further, I suppose that the movement of the Holy Spirit will appear to be careless or haphazard as it comes and goes, as well.  Its movement is so subtle that it seems to be inefficient:  what if it’s so subtle that no one even notices?  Will there be any response at all? And yet, the Holy Spirit does the work that’s been assigned by the Father, whether we humans notice and respond or not.  Again, this M.O. seems so careless and inefficient to me.  I find myself wondering just how alert to and aware of the slightest movement of the Holy Spirit am I?  As I ponder this, I hear God say: 

      “Always be alert to my movement – especially in places and at times that would seem to be the very last place and time that you’d expect me to be.”

I’m chagrined to admit that this probably applies to seed that ends up on the road, in the gravel and in the weeds.  God’s kingdom (and M.O.) are such a mystery to me.  It’s so foreign to my earthbound perspective and expectation!  On earth, so much of life is ruled by a fear of scarcity:  seeds are precious, the provision for our life, and they must not be handled carelessly or wasted.  God’s kingdom always seems to be upside down and, in every manner, sideways to me.

“Whenever someone has a ready heart for this, the insights and understandings flow freely.  But if there is no readiness, any trace of receptivity soon disappears.  That’s why I tell stories:  to create readiness, to nudge the people toward receptive insight.”  Mt. 13:12 (The Message)

As this Scripture passage continues, Jesus explains the meaning of this parable to his disciples.  As I read on, something begins to click within me.  It’s all about the heart!  What remains on the surface only (the road) doesn’t enter the heart.  What is only a show of emotion (the gravel) doesn’t enter the heart.  Even when seed enters the heart, but the heart is then strangled (the weeds), there’s nothing good to show for it.  But when the seed enters the heart unaccompanied by any form of hinderance (good soil), an amount of fruit develops from that heart that goes beyond anyone’s wildest dreams.  It’s all about the heart!  I can imagine Jesus is chuckling as I hear him say:

      “When I scatter seeds, I’m not being haphazard, inefficient or foolish – I’m being generous.  My generosity demonstrates my love and grace by enabling all kinds and conditions of hearts to receive what they are able to receive.  Granted, some of the love and grace that I sow may appear to be wasted to earthly eyes, but I’m willing to take that risk if it means that some of the seed might actually work its way down into the heart. Besides, I possess a never-ending supply of these seeds.  Remember that!”

Thank you, Jesus, for your generosity.  Please help me to have an open, teachable and humble heart before you so your seeds of love and grace can produce an amount of fruit within my heart and through my life that goes far beyond my wildest dreams.  Amen!