Anticipate :: Devo #13

Good Soil
Preach the gospel at all times. Use words if necessary. There are many ways to share the Gospel message. And even more ways in which the message may be responded to. Read Matthew 13:3-9. The focus is on the soil and seed, not so much on the sower. So what does this mean for us as we prepare to go and sow? Hmm… go sow grow?

It seems to me that the emphasis being on the soil and seed says that important as the farmer is to the process, having the right seed and soil are to be the focus. First, we acknowledge that God’s word is the seed for salvation. Even though we sow, it is not our word that goes out; it is God’s. When others hear the word, it is not our response that counts. It is theirs. While the hearer’s response depends on the quality of the “soil,” we might actually be able to have some affect on this, especially if our actions and words display our trust in God’s plan.

We may not see the results of our sowing, but let’s not let that discourage us. Rather, look at the message in 1Corinthians 3:5-9. Here we see that there are those who plant and those who water, playing roles in God’s ultimately bringing forth the fruit. Having a role in this process is a privilege and a responsibility. Our response should be gratefulness for opportunity and commitment to doing the best we can in carrying out the responsibility, in our actions and, when required, with our words.

Prayer
Pray for opportunities to share the God’s love in word or deed and that we as a team and individuals are ready to meet these in accordance to what we have been given. Pray too for the Spirit to work in the hearts of those whom we will meet during our travels, that their hearts are prepared to accept the seed.