Refections for Youth - Seeds and Soil
There's a park just a few miles down the road from my house with access to Cross Creek Lake. On the cooler days, I like to venture over there and dangle my feet off the boat launch into the water. I also like to people-watch. These days there are a lot of people taking advantage of the large lake to kayak, fish and go out on their boats. Last week, I watched a couple head out in their kayaks along with their two dogs. I can guarantee that my dog would never-ever stay in the kayak!
Anyway, the other day when I was out there I was thinking about the times in the scripture when Jesus was out on the water.
There is a scripture passage in the 13th chapter of Matthew that tells about a time when Jesus was sitting by a lake. A lot of people had gathered around him, so many people that he climbed into a boat and went out on to the water away from the shore so everyone could see and hear him.
From the boat, he told a parable. Parables are stories that Jesus told that teach about something. Jesus used stories about things people knew about so they would understand. This story was about seeds and good soil. If you have been planting or gardening this summer - then maybe this story will make sense.
Jesus told the followers about a farmer who scattered seeds on the
ground. Some seeds landed on a path. Some birds came along and ate the seeds,
so the plants didn’t grow. Some seeds landed in dirt with lots of rocks. The
sun was too hot and burned those seeds, so the plants didn’t grow. Some seeds
landed in dirt with too many weeds. The weeds choked the seeds and crowded them
so the plants didn’t grow. But some seeds landed in good soil, and the plants
grew and grew!
Jesus wants us to share God’s words like the farmer who
scattered the seeds. Just like some of
the seeds didn’t grow, some people will not listen to God’s words. But many
people will listen and God’s word will grow in them and all of us.
Have you ever talked to a friend about God? It's scary - right? Especially if you are not exactly sure what you feel or believe. But give it a try. Ask questions and listen. You might be surprised at what ideas and thoughts may land in good soil and grow.
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