Growth?

I have never seen the comedy film, 'Honey, I shrunk the kids'. 

Some might say that George Osborn should be starring in a new film, 'Sorry, I shrunk the economy'!

The economic results published yesterday show that the last 4 years have seen what some call 'negative growth' - which is code to indicate that the economy has actually shrunk. 

Similarly, some farmers may find that this year they sowed more seed that they are able to harvest. 

Both the Chancellor and farmers can point to external factors for the poor performance in their particular field. The expected growth has been lacking.

Jesus told a brilliant story about a farmer whose results from his sowing were mixed. 

It makes several extremely obvious point - not all seeds produce good results - and it provides both challenge for hearers and encouragement for sowers. 'Listen! A farmer went out to plant some seed. As he scattered it across his field, some of the seed fell on a footpath, and the birds came and ate it. Other seed fell on shallow soil with underlying rock. The seed sprouted quickly because the soil was shallow. But the plant soon wilted under the hot sun, and since it didn’t have deep roots, it died. Other seed fell among thorns that grew up and choked out the tender plants so they produced no grain. Still other seeds fell on fertile soil, and they sprouted, grew, and produced a crop that was thirty, sixty, and even a hundred times as much as had been planted!” Then he said, “Anyone with ears to hear should listen and understand.” (Mark 4.3-9)

Today, all of us may have opportunities to 'plant some seed', by the things we say, and the comments we make about issues in the world around us, or by the random acts of kindness which mark our lives. How those around us respond to the seed which is scattered is not our responsibility. But the story reminds us that there will be some great results, possibly from a minority of those we encounter. But those results will be highly significant. 

Knowing that to be the case, let us continue to spread the seed far & wide!
Every blessing,

Richard