Ready, Steady, Sow!

After the last 2 day's reflections, you may have been expecting 'Ready, Steady, Go!'. 

Today's surprise is that I have changed the phrase from that to 'Ready, Steady, Sow!'

During a wonderful walk last week in the Hampshire countryside, through fields of wheat and barley, I was struck by the long-term forward planning of the farmers. Not know that the weather might have done, they still sowed the seeds, expecting there to be growth and a harvest.

A large proportion of Jesus' parables feature some seed sowing and growing.

“The Kingdom of God is like a farmer who scatters seed on the ground. Night and day, while he’s asleep or awake, the seed sprouts and grows, but he does not understand how it happens. The earth produces the crops on its own. First a leaf blade pushes through, then the heads of wheat are formed, and finally the grain ripens. And as soon as the grain is ready, the farmer comes and harvests it with a sickle, for the harvest time has come.”  (Mark 4.26-29)

During the summer holidays, loads of Christian groups run special activities which set out to sow the seed of God's truth and love into the hearts and lives of many children, young people, sports fans, older people and other groups.Hence, 'Ready, Steady, Sow!'

Our own 'On Your Marks' Holiday club started yesterday, and we had a great time with the 30 or so children, and a great team of willing helpers. 

Meanwhile, down in the New Forest, the first Mid Wessex Christian Camp is taking place, under blazing sun and blue shies, with a good group of Goldsworth Park people involved. 

Later this week, others will be off to Dorset for another children's holiday, and then will come Soul Survivor and so on. 

While our role may be like the farmer, sowing seed, the growth comes from the Lord of the Harvest. So please pray that all that takes place will lead to effective and long-lasting growth in the lives of all involved.

Every blessing,

Richard