Serving Rascals, Clumsy Disciples, and Physically and Mentally Ill Believers with the Unconditional Love of Jesus Christ
One of my favorite cities is Chicago, IL. I like its bustle and its different neighborhoods. I came across this photo on National Geographic and wanted to share it with you.
I think what it does is put you into a completely different viewpoint. Seeing the city with a whole different set of eyes. So much of walking out our spiritual lives is vision, seeing things from His perspective.
Everyone of us is very different than anyone else. Think “snowflakes” and you begin to get a grip on exactly how unique we really are. The Book of Genesis tells us that we are created in the image of God. And the Bible alludes to a complexity and creativity about human beings that is breathtaking in scope and substance. We are each uniquely special, revealing the personality of an infinitely, creative God.
This photo helps connect me to an understanding of how we are different from each other. Each color is important, and each needs to be esteemed. We find that we need each other, and should regard each person as a special creative canvas of our Creator Father.
A man scatters seed on the ground. Night and day, whether he sleeps or gets up, the seed sprouts and grows, though he does not know how. All by itself the soil produces grain—first the stalk, then the head, then the full kernel in the head.” –Mark 4:26-28, NIV
The insurmountable potential of a single seed! It is scattered without a whole lot of conscious effort, hundreds of seeds in a handful scattered out on the dry ground. It doesn’t get the dignity of individual effort, but is simply flung out.
I became a Christian believer partly through some indiscriminate seed flinging. I was being escorted by Temple security in Salt Lake City off the grounds. It may have been because I was shirtless and smoking, and being hammered as well. As I was being thrust through the gates, I ran into Christians who were sowing their tracts. These tracts landed on good soil. And I’m indeed thankful.
We simply do not know about any individual seed that leaves our bag. We can not predict what is going to happen. Jesus chose this particular metaphor to emphasize the supernatural nature of spiritual growth, it grows whether we sleep or stay awake. We don’t understand how things grow. A tiny, dry seed comes to life, and grows up to be something amazing.
Dropping seeds; that is it. We drop without taking responsibility for what may or may not happen next. We scatter seed without contemplating what will follow. It may grow, and it may not. The believers standing in the baking sun outside of the Mormon Temple in SLC were simply sowing seed. It fell on my heart, and I cannot tell you what happened to that seed. All I know, is it started to live, and grow and eventually was harvested.
Buy some tracts, Christian books, DVDs, CDs. Build an interesting website. Sow seed. You cannot harvest unless you sow something. You must be faithful to your part, and God is faithful to do the rest. Growing things is beyond our comprehension and ability. I cannot tell you the dynamics or the process of spiritual growth. Bible college did not have a class for that. It is imponderable and mysterious.
Be faithful, and sow. Fling the seed. Don’t mind the hot sun, or the thorns or the hungry birds. Be faithful, and fling it. Psalm 126:5-6
5 Those who sow in tears
will reap with songs of joy.
6 He who goes out weeping,
carrying seed to sow,
will return with songs of joy,
carrying sheaves with him.
Finishing up a time in Grand Junction, Colorado. I’m markedly impressed with the beauty, and the people I met. Earth is not my home, not by a long shot, but my time in Western Colorado was both timely and rejuvenating.
Broken Believers 