Planting good seeds continually

Overcoming problems and utilizing opportunities lead to the purpose of life: being a good influence wherever we go.

Jesus said his followers must be the salt of the Earth and the light of the world. A little bit of salt evenly dispersed in food enhances taste and delays decay. It points to the unseen, unassuming influence of Christians. Francis of Assisi said: “Always preach the gospel; use words when necessary.”

The light of the world is more public. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. The lamp is not covered under a basket but placed on a stand. Christians can’t always do their part in secret. Jesus died in public for us, and we should be ready to stand up for him in public as well. However, the lamp sheds its light without burning people. It shines in a non-aggressive way. No one is forced to accept Christ as Saviour.

Jesus said that those who plant the seeds of the gospel are like farmers who scatter seed, leaving the growth to nature. The wonder of one dying seed that produces a plant with many seeds takes place whether the farmer understands the process or not. Likewise, Christians must leave the wonder of rebirth to God. They must only take care of the planting and the harvesting.

Jesus warned his followers that there will be different reactions to the seeds they sow. With some, the seed of the gospel falls on a hard road; with others, it lands on rocky or weedy soil; however, some of the seeds fall on good soil and bear fruit.

He also warned that the devil always tries to sow bad seed among God’s good seed. In the end, the difference between the two will emerge.

We should not think that our part is too small to have any value. The small mustard seed grows into a plant in which birds find shelter.

The apostle Paul became the great seed planter of the first century. As devout Pharisee, he persecuted Christians at first. Near Damascus, he had a vision of Christ, telling him to quit persecution and start serving the Lord. He eagerly obeyed, making many friends and enemies as he proceeded.

He worked three years in Damascus and about 10 years in the Tarsus area. While working at Antioch he was called to undertake the first missionary journey to Cyprus and Asia Minor (Turkey). He played a vital role in the Jerusalem Decree, which exempted Gentile Christians from Jewish laws.

On his second and third journeys, he planted churches in northern and southern Greece. The focus shifted from church planting to church edification. His letters have planted seeds for 20 centuries.

Jacob Van Zyl of Lethbridge is a retired counsellor and the author of several faith-based books.