Faithful on Fridays Blog

Parable of the Seed Growing Secretly

I love the water. Whenever we go on vacation it usually includes water. The ocean, a lake, a river, I don’t care, as long as there’s water. It’s peaceful or powerful, it’s calming or regenerating, and it’s often where I connect with God. 

Jesus liked the water too. He taught beside the Sea of Galilee using parables to help believers understand kingdom principles (Mark 4). Using phrases like, “He who has ears to hear, let him hear,” and “Pay attention to what you hear” reveal to us, the people of God, that Jesus thought these parables were important.

In the Parable of the Sower Jesus established what He considered to be good soil or a heart ready to receive His Word. He continued in Mark 4 relating a simple story of seed scattered on the ground following the natural sequence of growth; that seed is God’s Word growing in us. However, often we hear or read God’s Word, believe its promises, and yet our days, weeks, months, and maybe even years go by without the promises fulfilled: no fruit. We usually begin to question God at that point and our faith can waver.

Did He hear me? Will He respond? Does He care? Is He mad at me? Amidst those questions we grow in understanding of God’s kingdom here on earth and its spiritual progression as if we would watch seeds growing (Mark 4:26-29). Jesus reminded His listeners to watch for those first baby sprouts and then watch them grow to maturity. Here’s the clincher. Those little sprouts, anchored by roots, are like baby steps toward answered prayer. 

Night and day, while he’s asleep or awake, the seed sprouts and grows, but he does not understand how it happens. The earth produces the crops on its own. First a leaf blade pushes through, then the heads of wheat are formed, and finally the grain ripens. Mark 4:27-28 NLT

Heavenly principles produce crops of their own as well and when God says it’s time, it’s time. He’s not too soon and He’s not too late: He’s quite punctual. As Jesus taught, we don’t know how He does it but when the time is right we experience the change we’re hoping and praying for, something happens in the spiritual realm and fruit has begun to grow. That breakthrough, as a seed pushing through the soil, can take more time than you’d like but Jesus told us a farmer needs patience to reap his harvest. 

Finally, while you’re waiting and believing God for a change in your life don’t get discouraged. He’s saying to you today,

I’ve got this

I heard your prayer

Wait for Me

I’m there, even if you don’t see Me

My timing is perfect

My ways are higher than yours 

When you plant seeds of prayer you can be assured He heard you but there’s always that pesky time of waiting for them to be fruitful and multiply. 

Be patient, farmers, harvest time is coming!