Hennie Symington

“This is what the kingdom of God is like. A man scatters seed on the ground. Night and day, whether he sleeps or gets up, the seed sprouts and grows though he does not know how. Mark 4:26-27

My husband is a gardener. He talks to plants, he covers them under a tarpaulin at night, feeds them, waters them at the right time, and whispers words of love to his garden where no-one else can hear.

Yet, one comes to realise that no matter what we do, (his wife often forgets to water the plants when he is away), and whether you have sleepless nights about your plants that have to brave wind and weather, drought and insects, they grow regardless of your care or lack of care. The question is, do our gardens really need us? 

On another level, does God really need us to care for his kingdom? Do we really make a difference in the kingdom?  Remember Jonah sitting under the vine that grew up to shade him, as he waited for God to wipe out the people of that great city of Nineveh. It is interesting that God has a conversation with Jonah along these lines, reminding him that he had nothing to with the tree sprouting. All he had to do was bring a message to the city of Nineveh. He was merely charged with scattering the seed. Finally, when he did what God asked him to do, the people turned to God saying: Who knows? God may yet relent and with compassion turn from his fierce anger so that we will not perish.” (Jonah 3:9). And that is precisely how it happened. You are charged with sowing the seed. God will make it grow.

Prayer: Lord, you have entrusted your message – that you care for mankind – to us. And that it is not for us to judge people’s efforts, but to bring the message of salvation to all. Amen