The Sower, the Seed and the Soil

Triumphant Victorious Reminders
Inspired by the Holy Spirit
Written by: Teresa Criswell

Matthew 13

Often concerned, "What if I sow into someone and nothing comes of it?"
"What if...?"

I was reminded of the understanding I received about 6 months ago regarding the sower, the seed and the condition of the ground as played out in Matthew 13...
- From the path, which represents those who don't understand, to
- The rocky soil, representing those who hear the Word and immediately receive with joy but when problems arise they fall away, to
- The thorns which are those who "hear" but the cares of this world and deceitfulness of riches crowds it out to
- The final, which is the good soil or good ground. This good ground produces a harvest of 30, 60 and 100 fold.

After reading this at that time, truly believing as I read that passage that it was strictly speaking of four different types of people, this is when I couldn't shake it and just had to ask the Lord, "What if we sow into one of these types of people besides those who have a heart of fertile soil?" "Does that mean I wasted my time?" Almost simultaneously, as I asked that question, it was as though I heard, "Teresa, my daughter, your heart was once like the "path" where the seed (Word) was snatched up, but I sent sowers into your life and then one day that path was turned to "rocky" soil, where you heard and with joy you received, but when the hard times came, you didn't run to Me, instead you ran from Me.  Then soon after, the condition of your heart turned to thorny ground where the cares of this world and deceitfulness of riches crowded my Word out; you didn't make yourself aware to My grace as I was eagerly awaiting to pour Myself onto you and because of My love for you, I knew what needed to be done and in My patience and loving kindness, I sent laborers to woo you back to Me and in that you allowed me to truly become The Gardener of your heart - and look - now you have allowed Me to turn your heart into fertile soil where there is a return like you could have never imagined  - some 30, 60 and even 100 fold."


With all that said, as we sow into people's lives - let's not hold back in sowing into people - whether we ever see results or not...we must remember that God's Word does not return void as God watches over His Word to perform it. We know it is only by the goodness of God that draws men to repentance so they can be revived and through the process of His patient love toward us, our hearts become and remain fertile by continuously producing crops that point to the handiwork of the Father!