Sowing with Generosity
Consider the Parable of the Sower. Think about the sower, scattering seed across all kinds of ground -- fertile soil, rocks, sand.
I read a devotional this week from Radical Gratitude which talked about this passage. Consider that it is not a parable called "The Parable of the different kinds of soil." It's the parable of the sower. If God is the sower, then what does this parable tell us about God?
Could it tell us that he is extravagant? That he spreads his love even where he doesn't have the highest hope of having any effect at all? Does he hold on to see like he's going to run out, or does he spread it generously and with abandon?
If we are made in his image, what do we learn from him as we watch him "garden?"
Could it be that we are to be generous with God's love? With his word? Could it be that we are to spread his grace without judging if it is going to take root and have effect? Can we always predict the outcome of of God's word, love or grace? Knowing that, should we use our own judgement on where to spread the word?
I read a devotional this week from Radical Gratitude which talked about this passage. Consider that it is not a parable called "The Parable of the different kinds of soil." It's the parable of the sower. If God is the sower, then what does this parable tell us about God?
Could it tell us that he is extravagant? That he spreads his love even where he doesn't have the highest hope of having any effect at all? Does he hold on to see like he's going to run out, or does he spread it generously and with abandon?
If we are made in his image, what do we learn from him as we watch him "garden?"
Could it be that we are to be generous with God's love? With his word? Could it be that we are to spread his grace without judging if it is going to take root and have effect? Can we always predict the outcome of of God's word, love or grace? Knowing that, should we use our own judgement on where to spread the word?
Could we relate the Parable of the Sower to this passage from Isaiah (55:10-11):
For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return there until they have watered the earth, making it bring forth and sprout, giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater, so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and succeed in the thing for which I sent it.
Image: From yesterday's morning photo experience. Notice how the timid grass has broken the sandstone rock. Who could have predicted it?
Labels: Gospel, Old Testament
posted by Kim at 10:10 PM
1 Comments:
Love your take on this parable. As precious as seed was in an agrarian society (without the modern advances we have for seed retention)Jesus' original audience was probably aghast at the idea of throwing seed just anywhere. What kind of farmer would sow seed where there was little chance of it producing? As you indicate, it's a lesson to us on God's grace.
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