The Parable of the Mustard Seed (Matthew 13:31-32): He told them another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and planted in his field. Though it is the smallest of all seeds, yet when it grows, it is the largest of garden plants and becomes a tree, so that the birds come and perch in its branches.”
The Parable of the Sower (Matthew 13:1-9):
That same day Jesus went out of the house and sat by the lake. Such large crowds gathered around him that he got into a boat and sat in it, while all the people stood on the shore. Then he told them many things in parables, saying: “A farmer went out to sow his seed. As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up. Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow. But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no root. Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants. Still other seed fell on good soil, where it produced a crop—a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown. Whoever has ears, let them hear.”
I AM A SEED! I've been pushed down by many. I've been trampled on by many. Many have walked all over me. Push me down, trample on me, walk all over me...regardless, I will rise up a Tree. In fact, you pushing me down and trampling on me and walking all over me only causes me to turn to the provider of strength and power (Ephesians 1:19-20) and rise up the tree He calls me to be (Ephesians 1:18). I delight in being trampled on and walked on because I know that in ALL THINGS God works for the good of those who love Him (Romans 8:28). Any trial or suffering I may go through only works to improve and build my patience, experience, character, and Hope (Romans 5:3-4).
God calls me to be a seed, to take whatever life throws at me and use it to grow into a tree. But God also calls me to be a sower of seeds. The Parable of the Sower is God's "Guide to Gardening". God tells me where to plant seeds. It's not the seed that is bad, it's all in where and how you plant the seed!
I am a seed and I am planted in God's good soil.
Where are you planted?
Beautiful. So good to know that God's work WILL grow no matter what the world throws at it. His Word will not return to Him empty- the faith he has sown in us will continue to grow until it is full grown!
ReplyDeleteI was just thinking about how I am to grow where I am this week- you might enjoy the post, as a fellow writer!
http://www.weakandloved.com/2012/06/writing-fear-part-3-my-garden-grows.html
Wow, Emily, that post is beautiful! Thx for visiting our blog and Thx for sharing your post with us! "I hope I am presenting you with a flower and not just a weed that I have grown to like. I can’t always tell." Sums me up perfectly...I pretty much have that thought every time I post. I will be reading more of your posts later on today:)
DeleteNew follower. Love your blog. I appreciate your clear approach to The Word; I try to write in a similar fashion at http://www.treatmetoafeast-beloved.blogspot.com
ReplyDeletePerhaps you'll stop by and read sometime? I stopped by from the Like Me on FB hop.
Looking forward to reading more...
Peace and good.
Aloha,
ReplyDeleteFollowing ya now from Naptime Reviews. What a beautiful space you two are creating-- how lucky am I to be a part of it. If you are up for a visit with friends we're riding the wave of life at localsugarhawaii.com and I'd love it if you'd join us. And tomorrow we will host the most mellow wordless Wednesday link up. No rules. Just friends. Come join us, if you please.
xo,
Nicole
localsugarhawaii.com