Growth

The first spring flowers are bravely showing their beauty. Near our front door, a little iris reticulata (little blue flower, for the uninitiated!) has opened. There are a few crocuses doing their best to reveal their bright colours. But there are some of the spring bulbs which will not flower this spring - as the squirrels have dug them up, while burying acorns and other food stores. We might say 'You can't win them all!'.
The final part of Jesus' parable about the different reactions to the same message is strikingly encouraging. While three categories of listeners fail to yield much change, one type of listener is overwhelmed by the growth. 'And the seed that fell on good soil represents those who hear and accept God’s word and produce a harvest of thirty, sixty, or even a hundred times as much as had been planted!” (Mark 4.20)
Because of this astonishing growth, we might wonder what is the secret of getting such a harvest. Is there some mysterious magic? Is there a particular technique which we must follow? Do we have to join some secret spiritual club? The answer to all these question (and others like them) is 'No!'!
The only comment which Jesus makes is that we need to hear and accept God’s word. From then on, the growth comes from the potential within the seed itself. It is the nature of seeds to have within them the potential to produce amazing growth. Just as Jesus taught his disciples on another occasion, being connected to Him is what is required. 'Remain in me, and I will remain in you. For a branch cannot produce fruit if it is severed from the vine, and you cannot be fruitful unless you remain in me.  Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing.' (John 15.4-5)
Our job is to keep in moment by moment connection with Jesus - looking to Him to live his life through us-  and His is to produce astonishing results. Sounds simple, doesn't it? But that is His promise. Will we hear and accept God’s word? Much will result, if we do. With God's help, I will pray for this today. Will you?
Best wishes,
Richard