In the 13th Chapter of the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus tells this parable: “A farmer went out to sow his seed. 4 As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up. 5 Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow. 6 But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no root. 7 Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants.8 Still other seed fell on good soil, where it produced a crop—a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown."
A little further into the same chapter, Jesus goes on to explain to His disciples the meaning of the story. 18 “Listen then to what the parable of the sower means: 19 When anyone hears the message about the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what was sown in their heart. This is the seed sown along the path. 20 The seed falling on rocky ground refers to someone who hears the word and at once receives it with joy. 21 But since they have no root, they last only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, they quickly fall away. 22 The seed falling among the thorns refers to someone who hears the word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke the word, making it unfruitful. 23 But the seed falling on good soil refers to someone who hears the word and understands it. This is the one who produces a crop, yielding a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown.”
These verses are the basis for "The Seed and the Sower" from 'Volume I'.
The birds, I've seen them take it away
Beheld new life scorched by the heat of the day
On every side, another choked by the thorns
I feel their grip, I feel the heat of the sun
I've seen what Jesus described in this parable play out in reality; people who reject the Gospel and have neither understanding nor the desire to understand. I've known people who receive it and are excited to follow Jesus . . . right up until it gets inconvenient or difficult. And there have certainly been many who've had their faith choked to death by the unending cares of this world. "I feel their grip". I look at my own heart and see how much of myself I exhaust in pursuit of temporary things. I look at how I spend my time and where my thoughts tend to return. "I feel the heat of the sun" is a confession of my own constant temptation to turn from what I know for the sake of convenience or just my own immediate comfort.
Grant me to walk this path until it is done
Steady my way
When You are all I have, more than enough
Steady my way
This is a prayer for God to direct my steps and to keep me from turning away from the truth. I want to run my race to completion. I want to hear Jesus say, "Well done, good and faithful servant." I want to be willing to forego anything that might stand between me and that end. While I know full well that I am not capable of producing in myself the resolve necessary to see my journey through, I know with even more certainty that God is able to strengthen and steady me on my way.
Comments