“But the one who received the seed that fell on good soil is the man who hears the word and understands it. He produces a crop, yielding a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown.” Matthew 13:23
The Holy Spirit knows the condition of every heart. Countless conversations, exposures to God’s word, and prayers cultivate a heart’s soil — but it is a divine mystery how seeds are planted, take root, and grow. In Matthew 13, Jesus tells of a farmer scattering seed across his field. The parable illustrates the varying conditions of people’s hearts (soil) and their readiness to respond to God’s word and produce a crop.
We don’t know the condition of someone’s heart and how they may respond to the gospel. Our job is simply to engage in spiritual conversations and leave the results up to God. Recently, a woman told me about her loss. I asked her if her loss prompted her to begin thinking about spiritual things? Surprised by her positive response, I invited her to join a gathering of other widows where she has been embraced in a new community and is hearing and experiencing the gospel. Our conversation was life changing!
In John 4:34-36, after Jesus has a life changing conversation with a Samaritan woman, Jesus explains to his disciples, “My food,” said Jesus, “is to do the will of him who sent me and to finish his work.“ Jesus then discusses the harvest: ”Even now the reaper draws his wages, even now he harvests the crop for eternal life, so that the sower and the reaper may be glad together.”
The Lord plants many seeds in fertile hearts. Will you go in the power of the Holy Spirit, ready to convey a timely word or invitation? The Lord said that doing His will provides “food” for your soul to flourish!
Father God, fill me with Your Spirit afresh. Prepare me and lead me into divine encounters and conversations. Help me pay attention. Bring timely words through me. Lord, go before me and prepare hearts, and make hearts hungry and thirsty for You. I invite You to make Your appeals through me. Amen.
Take Action
Ask the Lord to help you notice and see people the way He does. Ask Him to lead you in conversations and encounters. It would help to journal what you notice and pay attention to what questions the Lord puts on your heart to ask. As you learn how the LORD is leading you, He will bring timely words of encouragement to those in your life — especially those who don’t know Him yet!
We all need help to see others the way God does. Watch the short documentary As They Pass Us By.