For the Seed and the Sprout There will be Some Darkness and Dirt

Have you ever been in a place or a time of life when it seemed really dark and you couldn't see a way out? Have you ever felt trapped, stuck, or seemingly unable to move out of the circumstances that held you captive?

I think we all have. Whether it be a financial burden, an addiction, depression, an illness, a failing relationship, guilt, or maybe one you couldn't quite put your finger on, we've all felt it.  Maybe you're in that place right now and it feels hopeless.  I want to first tell you that you're NOT alone and that I've also been in the deepest pit unable to see even a glimmer of light.  One thing I know for sure:  The light is there!

I was having breakfast this morning with a young man who is trying really hard to climb out of the pit and during our conversation God laid a really wonderful picture on my heart that I want to share with you today.  You may know the parable that Jesus told his disciples about the seeds that fell in various places but I want to refresh your memory before I tell you what God showed me today:

Matthew 13:3-9

"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. He who has ears, let him hear."

Jesus went on to explain the parable:

Matthew 13:19-23

"Listen then to what the parable of the sower means: When anyone hears the message about the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what was sown in his heart. This is the seed sown along the path. The one who received the seed that fell on rocky places is the man who hears the word and at once receives it with joy. But since he has no root, he lasts only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, he quickly falls away. The one who received the seed that fell among the thorns is the man who hears the word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke it, making it unfruitful. But the one who received the seed that fell on good soil is the man who hears the word and understands it. He produces a crop, yielding a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown."

Here is where I want to show you that there is light and to give you hope.  I'd like you to understand that Jesus was very clear that the first step to having this kind of hope, having the ability to stand in times of trial, and having the ability to multiply God's gift for the benefit of His kingdom is to be fertile ground.  That means to receive and stand firm in the knowledge of the Kingdom of God in Christ.  So let's say that you are a believer today and you know in your heart of hearts that you have received and still hold fast to the Word of God but you're still in that place of darkness, fear, and doubt.  Then what?  How can this be and what can you do about it?

Here is the picture God gave me today:

Imagine a seed, any seed.  You choose.  It's dry and apparently lifeless.  On the outside it has no signs of vitality.  It just looks dead.  Then you go and poke your finger in the soil (good soil).  You poke down a couple inches and drop the seed in the hole then cover it up.  Now imagine that you are the seed.  I understand that in the parable the seed is the "message about the kingdom" but understand that the germination of that seed and its growth are about what happens to you and me, how we grow in our faith, and what that faith produces.

So for now, you are the seed.  One day passes and what do you look like?  A seed.  Two days pass and what do you look like?  A seed.  OK, you’re alive but it still might not look like it.  A few days later something begins to happen.  A small shoot begins to emerge from the hard husk of the seed! Life!  But remember that from your perspective (the seed) all you see is darkness and dirt.  You're growing but you're still under the soil and all you know is that it doesn't look good. One day later you are a steadily growing shoot but guess what?  All you see is darkness and dirt.  You can't tell whether there are twelve feet of dirt over you or one inch.  It's just dark. You continue to grow and continue to push past the hard lumps of dirt. Hopeless?  Well from the vantage point of the sprout and even from the observer looking at the lifeless garden it appears so.  But it's not!  One more day, one more push, one more struggle then a sparkle of light and a little air.  You are out of the grave and growing in the sunlight.  You feel the wind and the cool rain and you grow like crazy.  Then you produce fruit, feed others and bring forth other plants like yourself!

I know that even when you are a faithful follower of Jesus Christ you will find yourself in times of darkness.  I think God was showing me today that like the seed in the ground and the sprout that is still under the soil, when we are seeking Him we are growing upward and if we continue to be watered and fed we will eventually see light again.  Ivor reminded me of this as well:  As you push upward toward peace and sunshine, your roots should always be  digging deeper and deeper into the dirt.  You can't grow into the light without your roots continuing to grow deeper. I guess until God brings us home there will always be some dirt and some darkness.

Friend, keep growing where you are planted.  There is hope.  Stay in the Word so that you will be watered daily.  Keep seeking God with a humble and hungry heart so that your soil will remain fertile.  You will see light!  Don't give up!

Peace and Love,

David