SOWING SEEDS OF DOUBT OR HOPE?
So, we're each sowing something. However, what we sow matters. Is it doubt or hope? Most of us have a bent towards either the glass half full or half empty. Remember Chicken Little and "the sky is falling"? Granted Chicken Little, aka Henny Penny, was hit on the head with an acorn and concluded the sky was falling.
But sometimes we talk or act like Chicken Little. The media and well-meaning folks pelt us with "acorns." And these hits damage us and the world. After too many hits, we may lose hope, perspective, trust in God, others, the Law, or ourselves.
So, seeds matter. Like, acorns grow into Oaks, so the parables of Jesus nudge us to grow into Oaks of Righteousness (Isaiah 61:3). Today's sermon, by our Interim Rector, The Rev. George Stevens, focused on the Parable of the Sower.(See Matthew 13) Jesus often taught through stories. Good stories head for our hearts, where Real Life happens.
So, about this parable. It seems willy-nilly, the Sower flinging seeds like some toss rice at weddings or confetti at parades. But it's about abundance, God's lavish love and provision. The Sower reminds us that God's Grace goes everywhere, available for everyone.
And I love how Father George concluded his sermon, "Where some see waste, ( flinging seeds indiscriminately) God sees opportunity." God doesn't sow seeds of doubt. God's love sows healing Grace, infusing hope into the cracks, nooks and crannies of our lives. And Holy Hope takes root, even in those parched, soil depleted places where we're sure nothing good will ever happen.
But God shows up and Good happens. And hope crops up in unlikely places, through unlikely folks.
Like you, me, and even them!
So, look around. Listen.
Apparently, Jesus loves scattering seeds of hope, joy, forgiveness, reconciliation, gratitude and more.
So, starting today, lets sow some hope, and give thanks for God's abundance. God doesn't hoard. Nor should we.
Now, lets pick up our sowing baskets and start flinging seeds of hope and whatever God's entrusted to our baskets.
Like manna, hope won't keep. .
So, sow away, Faithful Flingers!
4 Comments
thank you! Love this. One of my sister churches locally has been trying to raise money to replace the air conditioning system. But several parishioners have sowed seeds of doubt, at least with me. They don't think there is anything wrong, it feels alright to them, etc. These seeds of doubt have definitely put a damper on the fundraising, which is sad. m
Well, dear Kathleen, some folks hoard money and rob us of more than air conditioning. Hopefully, cooler heads will prevail and the money will show up and the whole Church will cool down. Good things happen when God shows up through Good folks, like you.
Love this, Jan!
And I love you, dear Kali. Hope you, Jim and family are making good memories this summer. Thanks for all you and Jim do to feed hope and joy at Christ Church.