Seeds and Champions
Mustard Seed Chronicles: Story Time with LU Grandma
Jesus regularly used gardening and farming stories to teach spiritual truths. Because I grew up as a farmer’s daughter, I can readily imagine what Jesus wanted His listeners to see. There are still lessons to hear in Jesus’s stories about seeds. As we celebrate Graduation at Liberty University this month, our graduates and their families may be particularly blessed by the reminder.
When I was a girl, my dad would take us children out into our family’s garden to help plant it. He would always say: “Girls, if you want to eat peas, you have to plant peas. If you want to eat corn, you have to plant corn.”
He was teaching us a biblical principal, although we didn’t understand it at the time: You reap what you sow.
When you want to plant anything, there are six components needed: soil, seeds, water, fertilizer, tools, and maybe some gloves (although we never used them until recently). No matter if you are planting in a flowerpot, window box, or the ground, there is a special time of preparation. Especially if you are using the ground; it may have weeds and rocks to remove before you can plant.
Isn’t that what God does with us? He gives us all the tools we need and helps prepare the ground of our hearts and minds. He places the seed of Gospel within us, waters us with His Word, and shines Sonshine in us. Then, He brings folks into our lives to sprinkle some “fertilizer” to help the small seed grow into a beautiful, fruitful life. This takes time!
If I look where I planted seeds a week ago, I may not see anything, but that does not mean nothing is happening. God is at work! He always is. Beneath the soil where we cannot see, He begins with a single root, and then, more roots come from the seed. Weeks after the roots are made, a sprout comes up above the soil. It takes weeks for a mature plant, or maybe even years (like trees) before you can see and harvest the fruit.
Are you currently living in a time of uncertainty where you cannot see the work that God is doing underneath the surface of your life? You wonder if God is doing anything in you or your student either. But He IS! He is always working at something good. He can be trusted to be faithful to complete what He has started in us.
I’d like to especially encourage you, Graduates. You have been given a lot of “gardening” love here at Liberty University. Faculty, staff, roommates, and leadership have all poured into you and tended the “seeds” of your heart to help you to grow and to mature. Maybe there were some weeds of disbelief, discouragement, or distraction that needed pulling, and that can be painful, but weeding allows the seed and plant to flourish.
And now, it is your turn to go out, plant your seeds, and tend those “gardens” where God has called you to be.
God has made you into something wonderful, beautiful, fruitful, and unique. You are a Champion for Christ! Go forth and be that champion. Make the world a better and more lovely place.
Prayer:
Heavenly Father, You brought all of these students to us to nurture. Bless their development and continue to mature them into fruitful, world changers…true champions and “soldiers of the Cross.” We send our graduates in love and faith to do what You have called them to do. We know that You are with them always. We pray Your richest blessing on them, Lord. Keep them strong for the mission you have called them; may they ever be steadfast, fruitful, and available to do whatever You are leading them to do.
In the precious name of Jesus, I pray, Amen!
Meet the Author
Timi Plyter
“LU Grandma”
Lead Parent Advocate
