When We Soil Ourselves...

I’m reflecting again this morning of our parable from this past Sunday, the Parable of the Sower.  “A sower went out to sow…”  Specifically, I’m thinking about the reckless nature by which he went about sowing. Ponder, for a moment, the peculiar ways he goes about his business. He's really moving fast and he isn’t being very precise. He isn't digging individual holes and putting the seeds in one by one; he isn’t covering up the seedlings and watering them.  He isn't even watching where he throws it! This man is in such an apparent hurry that he throws the precious seed everywhere—even on the path, even with opportunistic and hungry birds hovering, even into the weeds and rocks. If they had concrete parking lots in those days, you can bet this man would throw the seed there, too. Why do that? What a waste of the precious seed! But the sower—who is God—doesn't care. He's got no time to waste and He wants the entire field—the entire world—to get the seed of the Gospel. And so He throws it everywhere—into prisons and schools, into shelters and homes, among the rich and the poor, to the believers and the non-believers, to the educated and the not—to every human being. There are no exceptions. There is no place where God does not want His word to go. He tosses the story of Jesus across the world in books and movies, in debates and conversations.  Throughout, sowing the seed of faith with a generous hand.

Stepping into my backyard, I see my now three-year feeble attempt to grow a lush, full, green grass. It is definitely better than it was when we first moved in—slow and steady progress.  There are only a few bare patches and a lot less weeds.  But there are still plenty of spots where only dirt is seen.  When I have tossed out the grass seed, many times over these past three years, it has been in a similar reckless manner as the parable’s Sower.  To be sure, I did focus on the areas where the brown dirt was obvious. Those areas got a few extra sprinkles of seed, but I didn’t stop there. I dispersed the grass seed all over my yard.  Whether there was already grass visible or not, it didn’t matter, the more green grass the better.  Whether by hand or by the use of a spreader, I will throw that seed all over the place in the hopes that the abundance of seedlings will take root and final give me the green backyard of my dreams.
​
When it comes to the reception of God’s Word, this is His mindset as well. He sows the seed of His love with a beautiful, merciful, reckless abandon. The more “green grass” the better—no matter where that green grass might end up growing.  God wants every human being to know the Good News. No exceptions.  Wherever they might be and no matter the condition of the soil beneath their feet. God wants all to know that Jesus has given His own life on the cross to rescue us all from the power of evil, and that He has risen from the dead. Now anyone who trusts in Him will receive His overflowing love and mercy. We will become part of the harvest—a forgiven, free, joyful child of God who reflects God's own love and grace.  And you? It doesn't matter if you are good soil or poor, thorny or rocky ground, or even a concrete parking lot! God's power can remake you, too. "For the promise is for you and for your children and for all who are far off, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to Himself." (Acts 2:39)


"Although the life of a person is a land full of thorns and weeds, there is always a space in which the good see can grow. You have to trust God." (Pope Francis)

"When I use the phrase, “the reckless love of God”, I’m not saying that God Himself is reckless. I am, however, saying that the way He loves, is in many regards, quite so. What I mean is this: He is utterly unconcerned with the consequences of His actions with regards to His own safety, comfort, and well-being. His love isn’t crafty or slick. It’s not cunning or shrewd. In fact, all things considered, it’s quite childlike, and might I even suggest, sometimes downright ridiculous. His love bankrupted heaven for you. His love doesn’t consider Himself first. His love isn’t selfish or self-serving. He doesn’t wonder what He’ll gain or lose by putting Himself out there. He simply gives Himself away on the off-chance that one of us might look back at Him and offer ourselves in return." (Cory Asbury)