Seeds of Life

“Still other seed fell on fertile soil.

This seed grew and produced a crop one hundred times as much as had been planted.

When he had said this, he called out,

Anyone who is willing to hear should listen and understand!”

Luke 8:8

One summer I noticed more and more hummingbirds in my flower garden. I thought they would only fly in and move on since I don’t have hummingbird feeders. Instead they came back again and again, satisfied with the vast selection of flowers. As I watched this, the Spirit began to show me an analogy with the church.

It has become quite accepted to “hang out feeders” in our churches–choosing programs, music, speakers, and even architecture to draw in the crowds. And it works; there are huge mega-churches and popular gatherings across the country. The church leadership works hard all week to fill the feeder full of appetizing food, but when many of these people go home, they feel the necessity to always go back to the church building–the feeder–to eat. Contrast this bird-feeder mentality to growing a flower bed that will produce perpetual food, year after year, as well as seed for more plants.

What if, instead of always trying to figure out how to improve the program, the music, the building–the feeder–we would spend our time on improving the dry, rocky, thorny ground of people’s hearts before planting seeds of God’s Word (Luke 8L4-15)? This means spending time with people outside the church walls: building relationships, breaking down barriers, helping to dig up stones and pull weeds from hurting hearts. Preparing the ground takes love, energy, and perseverance.

But then comes the joy of planting the awesome, powerful seeds of God’s Word and watching them mature into life-giving, food-producing plants that will feed not only the one in whom they grow but all those they come in contact with. No longer will they be looking constantly to others to be fed, but instead they will feast on God’s faithfulness within themselves.

Look around. Do you see the hungry and poor? Love them into becoming a fertile place, ready for the planting of God’s Word, and watch the kingdom spring up around you.

Is your heart encouraged? You might also enjoy Love Covers

Amy Layne Litzelman is passionate about knowing God more intimately in each moment and helping others do the same. Amy released her first book, This Beloved Road: A Journey of Revelation and Worship, in 2011. She has also composed over seventy songs, recorded four CDs, and traveled to teach and lead worship across the United States and in the Philippines and China. She and her husband, Matt, live in Jackson Hole, WY and have two adult sons.

Learn more about gifted faith writer Amy Layne Litzelman

As a women’s magazine, created for Christian Women, Sonoma Christian Home offers relevant articles on a variety of topics including: daily devotions, daily inspiration, relationship advice, Christian marriage, Christian parenting, interior design ideas, everyday gourmet recipes, Christian movie reviews and so much more!