Voice - Content and Quality

     I met with a friend this week who asked me to teach her how to create a friendship bracelet.  Once we picked a pattern and selected the thread colors, I began to teach the order of steps to tie the bracelet she planned to give away.  Explaining how to read a pattern, keep track of where she was, and how to pull out stitches if she got lost in the process kept our conversations pretty focused.  I’ve been making bracelets for a while.  But am a novice when it comes to teaching what I’ve learned by trial and error.  One thing I knew for sure, if we began to partake in idle chit-chat, it would be challenging to concentrate on the task at hand and be successful in the endeavor.  Possibly it was this experience that caused me to read a familiar passage of Scripture differently this morning. 

      I cannot count the number of times that I’ve read the parable of the four soils in Luke 8. At first mention, you probably have a complete recall of this farming metaphor that Jesus used to explain that people receive the gospel in many different ways. However, today as I read this familiar passage, the Holy Spirit moved my heart to observe this passage from a different angle. So often, my mind becomes fixed on the recipients of the message. How well did the message stick?  Was this a genuine conversion?  How will we know?  But today, as I read, my mind focused on the explanation that Jesus was providing to the disciples.  I began to think of this passage as discipleship training.  What did the passage call the seed? (Answer:  the Word of God).  So what does it mean to sow seed?  (Answer:  We are sharing the Word of God.)  Do we have control over the recipient who is receiving the seed?  (Answer:  No, it is God who draws the listener in to decide on the message they have received.)  Does that mean my involvement is meaningless?  No, we are workmen created in Christ Jesus.

     If I am to concentrate on the position God has placed us in when we have received God’s Word into our hearts, we are seed Sowers.  With that job description, what should I be doing with my time and God-given talents?  (Answer:   Sowing seeds.)  The next question is obvious, so how do I go about sowing seeds?  Is it by being an excellent example of righteousness (a good person) who is worth emulating?  In this parable, Jesus is telling his disciples to share God’s Word.  He’s not talking about exhibiting behavior that is above reproach to be admired by others as they exclaim in hushed voices, “I’ve encountered a Christian.”   I believe this parable should be guiding us to examine what we talk about when we walkabout.  It is far less about the soil beneath our feet; it is about sowing the seed.  Discipleship is then about cultivating the soil to improve its quality.  God is the one that causes the seed to grow.

     As I considered this message, I had to evaluate the nature of my conversations. For example, how often do I sow seeds, or how often do I leave the seeds in my pocket?  Are my conversations about irrelevant babble that will have no lasting impact on someone’s future?  Or do I involve myself in discussions that add actual value to the listener?  Think over the conversations that you had this morning, yesterday or even this week.  What was the nature of those conversations? 

·        Did you talk about your faith in God? 

·        Did you talk about any particular passage of Scripture? 

·        Did you share experiences where you applied Biblical truth? 

·        Did you encourage anyone to read their Bible? 

·        Are you looking for people to share your faith with, or are you more comfortable saving those conversations for people you know will agree with your point of view? 

     This article poses lots of questions.  Will you take the time to evaluate your own experience?  If we take God at his Word, we know there is only one path to the Father.  It is through the Son.  How well are we doing at creating these types of conversations with those around us?  I am convinced that unless we place our minds on the work God has asked us to do, we will only find a rare opportunity to share the gospel with others. Luke 8 caused me to be more mindful of what Jesus was teaching His disciples through this parable.  Let’s pray that God’s Word passes through our lips with more frequency so that we can make an impact on those around us.  If we are unwilling to consider enriching our conversations with Jesus, it doesn’t matter what soil the sole of our foot passes.  We have to toss seeds; otherwise, we aren’t true seed Sowers.  A plant can never take root without first planting a seed.  If we won’t sow seeds, maybe we need to ask ourselves what work is left for us to do.