July 5, 2010 in My Blog by rsfrye0330

Farmer Rhonda :-)

I think it’s amazing how I can read a familiar passage time and time again, then “all of a sudden” my attention is captured! Sometimes I wonder, is God trying to tell me something or am I just intrigued? For several months, God has placed a HUGE burden on my heart to become better at truly making disciples. I find myself often thinking about Jesus’ words in Matthew 28:19, 20 “Go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. TEACH these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Being that I am in ministry, I find myself constantly wondering if I am being diligent to actually “make disciples” and wonder if I am being effective in teaching obedience. hmmm… Go.Make.Baptize.Teach. hmmm.. Think… Think…Think…Go. Make.Baptize.Teach… hmmmm…

Recently, as I finished reading the familiar passage of the farmer scattering the seeds found in Matthew 13:3-23, Mark 4:3-20 and in Luke 8:4-15 – the first words that popped out of my mouth (my very first uncensored thoughts..) were these: “Jesus, is this farmer in anyway partly to blame for the results of his garden? Could he had done anything differently?” Truthfully, I can’t say that He answered my questions, but I have been “chewing” on those thoughts for the last couple of weeks. Honestly, Jesus words in scripture only explain the parable and not once does He criticize the farmer in any way. I guess my question comes from human reasoning and the expectation as described in the Great Commission. It just seems logical to me that making disciples and teaching them to obey takes a little more effort and planning than”scattering seeds” or does it? I’m just thinking my thoughts out loud….right or wrong- just think with me!

Maybe I’m wrestling with this because I’m not in the least bit a farmer! This girl grew up in the city, married a country boy thus making our home somewhere in the middle- a suburb! One spring, my husband- proud of his little garden, took me out and showed me his little green plants growing in the dirt. He named them one by one: “This is a squash plant, this is zucchini, this is cherry tomatoes, this is grape tomatoes”, he said. Well, I looked around and sincerely asked, “Um, which tomato plants are the green ones?” “Green ones?”, he said wide eyed… “Yes, you know the green ones for fried green tomatoes”, I replied seriously. Well, our whole neighborhood probably heard his roaring laughter, but I didn’t think it was funny. Red delicious apples grow on red delicious apple trees and the green ones- (granny smiths) grow on Green Apple Trees, right? – made sense to me! I said all that to say, I’m obviously NOT a farm girl… BUT… If I were to plant a garden expecting a good crop- reason tells me, I would be intentional and nurturing. Seems like more effort than just scattering seeds anywhere with crossed fingers hoping for a good result. Logically speaking, I would think a good farmer would “work it”, right?

Thinking along these lines- I thought about the first category of people Jesus described. This group of people heard the message, but don’t understand it because the evil one came and snatched it away from their hearts. My eyes fell on the word “birds” and I said out loud: ” Can’t something be done about that, Jesus? In fact, I don’t think I’ve seen a garden around here without a scarecrow or without those tacky aluminum pie pans hanging up.” I actually got online to read about how birds are kept away in the professional agriculture industry. I was amazed at the creative strategies of the farmers. To deter the birds, they play recordings of barking dogs, shoot fireworks and actually place dead birds throughout the garden to scare the live ones away! hmmmm….think think think… “Jesus, Seems like the farmers realize they have authority over those pesky birds! Wait! Don’t we have authority of the evil one, in Jesus name? Wouldn’t it be effective for us as ministers to use that same strategy before we “scatter the seeds” If we know in advance the birds are watching and are planning to snatch the seed, then why can’t we put out the scarecrows, pie pans and especially the fire works in Jesus name before we deliver the gospel?” It just takes a little thought and time. Satan HAS to flee at your name! We have the power to bind the enemy, right? Shouldn’t we pray specifically for the hearts of the recipient to be tender and bind the enemy from coming near them to steal the seeds?” Again, Jesus didn’t really answer my questions- just sharing my thoughts. think…think…think…

The next category of people Jesus described were those who received the news with joy, but didn’t have deep roots, so they fell away as soon as they had problems, wilted and died in the hot sun. Hmm.. “Jesus, could the farmer had done anything differently? Their roots needed moisture. Is there anything farmers can do to help? Is this a discipleship issue? Can we be better at mentoring?” Jesus explained in scripture they fell away when they faced temptation. hmmm… “OUCH, could it be that as ministers- if we would be more transparent and admit our own temptations making ourselves available for accountability, wouldn’t that help?” think think think….Jesus said they fell away as soon as they had problems. Could it be someone didn’t explain the fact that the “Christian life” isn’t exempt from problems? hmmm..think… think.. .think… If there is anything I can do to help these people Jesus, please show me.”

I continued to think about the category of people whose seed fell among the thorns and their plant was quickly choked out. “But Jesus, all good farmers pull weeds!- that’s a NO BRAINER- even for me! Care takers- not the plants have had to weed their gardens since Adam and Eve were kicked out of the perfect one! Hmm…think.. think think…You said the weeds are worries of this life, the lure of wealth and desires for other things. “Jesus, again- could some of this be alleviated if farmers stayed alongside the plants to help them identify the weeds? “Worries” of this life- could we encourage them concerning their specific worries? If we loved them enough to even listen to their worries, would that help? Could we be oh so careful to model a holy lifestyle? Could we diligently pray that You change their desires and cause them to hunger and thirst after righteousness? Doesn’t your word say that you answer prayers according to your will. Well, isn’t it your will that people desire righteousness? Prayer changes things right, so even if these plants desire the pleasures of earth, as a farmer can I pray for you change their hearts and wills? This passage says these plants don’t produce fruit, but does that mean it’s hopeless and it has to be this way? Can a farmer do SOMETHING to help?” hmmm think…think…think…

Thinking on…. The last group Jesus describes are those whose seed fell on good soil producing a harvest of 30, 60 or even a hundred times as much as was planted. “That’s GREAT, God, but does that mean I’m supposed to sit back and wait for those with good soil in their hearts to stumble upon my circle of influence?” hmmm.. think…think…think…Pray…

“Jesus, I’m a farmer. My heart is to be the best farmer I can possibly be. I take your words literally to mean.. “Go, make disciples,baptize and teach them to obey” For some reason, I’m just having a hard time accepting a farming technique of “scattering seeds” I’m sorry- I’m sure that’s not the interpretation of this passage! I’m just trying to understand. It’s in my very nature to do anything and everything I possibly can to prepare the land and to nurture these little plants. I know salvation only comes by the convicting power of the Holy Spirit. I know I can’t force people to accept you, love you and to follow you, there truly is only so much I can do!!! BUT…Jesus.. isn’t there something a farmer girl can do to make the conditions ripe for You to work? Your Word tells me that I have to stand before You and give an account for the ministry You’ve entrusted to me. Please show me how to be a good farmer, I only want to please You. Think, Think, Think….