I was reading an article today about self-planting seeds. I was under the impression all seeds were somewhat self-planting (sometimes even gravity can get that little seed deep enough under the dirt for something to happen), but this article was talking about seeds that actually drill themselves down into the soil. The way the seed is designed, when there is a lack of moisture in the environment, the cell structure causes the seed to contract into a spiral shape. And when the humidity rises, the cell structure expands again, causing the seed to make a drilling motion. Brilliant!

I was so encouraged by this idea that some seeds have the ability to self-plant. Maybe, like me, you’ve been through rough seasons in your life where you know you have to keep on sowing good seed despite your circumstances, but you find it increasingly difficult to do so with all the noise of the current crisis. Difficult circumstances make it almost impossible for us to concentrate on how we’re sowing seed. All we can do in the moment is obediently cast it out there, praying it will take root, and hoping God will do the rest. Thankfully, God makes seeds that work like this. Even when the environment lacks what the seed absolutely needs to take root and grow, God makes a way. He uses the very circumstance we see as a potential crisis to propel the seed to be fruitful.

This concept reminds me of Isaiah 32:20. In the NLT version it says “the Lord will greatly bless his people. Wherever they plant seed, bountiful crops will spring up.” This verse always gets me because it gives me a sense that God is continually watching over what his people are sowing. And even when it doesn’t get to the exact right place, his Word says that bountiful crops will spring up. If you’ve read the parable of the sower (Matthew 13:1-23) and have ever felt a sense of responsibility to get the “seeds” into the right kind of soil, let Isaiah 32:20 set you free! As a church planter, I know that feeling of responsibility, but God says he wants to bless our seed – seeds of salvation, seeds of righteousness, seeds of prosperity – wherever we plant them! He’s created seeds with mechanisms that will propel them where they need to go.

 It’s sowing in faith and obedience (and not so much sowing in the perfect place) that drives the harvest. God created a purpose for every seed he’s ever placed within our reach to sow. Our inability to perfectly plant it doesn’t stop the will of God. As long as we’re willing to cast it out there in obedience and faith, he’s created mechanisms all around us to bring a bountiful harvest.