Faith in a Seed

A hundred and twenty-five years ago the dominant theory of plant propagation was that some plants spring spontaneously to life, independent of roots, cuttings, or seeds. This explained how a forest of pitch pine or white pine or birch trees might spring up where a cultivated field lay only a few years before. Few paid much attention to the theory of seed dispersal and the patterns of that dispersal until Henry David Thoreau began an exhaustive study which, over a period of years, gradually elucidated most of the dominant patterns of seed dispersal and tree seedling recruitment. He was ultimately attracted to this field of inquiry because it was so full of the unexpected.  He wrote,

"Though I do not believe that a plant will spring up where none has been, I have great faith in a seed. Convince me that you have a seed there, and I am prepared to expect wonders."

Just as forests and plant communities don't spring up In a place spontaneously, neither do communities of faithful people. Thoreau spent years tracking down squirrels and birds and other animals, charting wind patterns and discovering that there were agents of seed dispersal which, at casual glance, one seldom noticed. But, he showed, plant communities don't spring up unless something has planted a seed. Once the seed is there, nature takes care of the rest and wondrous things take place. 

So it is with our faith. It is a natural thing to want to plant a seed and watch it grow to maturity and be there for the harvest. We want to plant the seeds of our faith in our brothers and sisters and be able to see them take hold and become active in the church or faith community and in their own lives. It is frustrating to think that we witness our faith, however it may manifest itself, and live it to the best of our ability only to see little, if anything, in the way of results because of our efforts. But we are called only to be planters. We are called to be the agents of the dispersal of God's seeds of faith; God's squirrels, if you will, or God's wind. We are not called to be successful - only faithful. Just as Henry Thoreau had the faith that if a seed were in a place he could expect wonders, so we are called to plant seeds and have the faith that God will take care of the rest. We may not see the flowering, but somebody will. We may not be around for the harvest, but somebody will be. But there can be no flowering, no harvesting, without first there being a planting. It is given to God to determine what will happen to the seed after it is planted and the wonders it will bring forth. She does a pretty good job in that department. For you to know that your faith and your life experiences are precious, valued seeds, indeed, is enough. So plant! Plant! Plant! And have faith in a seed.  

9:20:27 AM
Make a Comment []