With summertime comes a lot of work in the garden. As I've been puttering around the garden, different Bible verses have come to mind. Since agriculture was a major part of daily life during the time Christ conducted his ministry, it probably comes at no surprise to anyone that many of Christ's teaching illustrations were based on the raising of crops. The issues of that day were similar to the ones we face today. They too were concerned about making ends meet and it would not be a stretch of the imagination that they faced an uncertain economy with the Romans as occupation of the region.
Today as in Christ's time, we are facing an uncertain and failing economy, which has touched many families including mine. A close family member has lost his job. I must admit that I have been somewhat worried about how he and his little family will fare. Christ tells us:
mine. A close family member has lost his job. I must admit that I have been somewhat worried about how he and his little family will fare. Christ tells us:
"Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? Look at the birds of the
air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?
"And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his 
splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. Matthew 6:25-32 . I must learn to take comfort in his words and put them into practice. Christ would not make a promise, on which he could not deliver.
I'm trying my hand at raising vegetables. I've not had much success in the past, but I am trying to do it right this time around by putting in raised beds. No sooner did I get the seeds into the furrows, than birds began lining up on the fence right above my bed. I was concerned they may not wait for the plants and would instead dig up the seeds. The birds did leave them in the ground, but seemed to be waiting for the smallest sign that the seeds have taken root and will begin to produce. I was really concerned that all of the work I'd put in was going to be wasted.
This real life example was a perfect picture of what Christ spoke of in the passage of Luke 8:1-15. In this passage, Christ likens the seeds to the word of God that is preached throughout the world. In his story the birds of the air snatch up the seeds just as the Devil, in real life sometimes snatches the word of God from the listener and does not allow him/her to fully understand it and accept it. Christ goes on to tell about seed that falls onto the rocks, where the listener hears the word and is overjoyed about it, but it never takes root and they drift away when tested. The seed that fell amongst the thorns started to grow but was choked out by the weeds of worry, riches, & pleasures; more of letting the things of life distract them from fully committing to Christ. The seed that falls on good soil is representative of the word of God falling on receptive ears, those people who make a commitment to Christ and whose life exhibits the completion of the work God has given him/her.
The loss of jobs, family members, political strife, & the other uncertainties of life can be overwhelming, but Christ can be there to support you if you will let him. Anyone can be the "good soil" of Luke 8:15, the ones who have a noble and good heart, who hear the word and retain it, and perseveringly produces a crop. The first step is believing in Christ.
