Title Already Have Seeds / Matthew 13:31-32
Feeling of inferiority is a heavy burden that weighs on everyone. No one in the world is completely free from inferiority complexes.
However, the greatest feeling of inferiority is when comparing with others. Nothing makes us miserable like comparison. When we compare ourselves to others, even a little bit, we quickly become arrogant. On the other hand, if you are perceived as inferior to others, you immediately become discouraged. That's why Galatians 6:4 says, "Let each one examine his own work, that he may boast in himself alone, and not in others." This means that if you take a good look at yourself, you already have something to be proud of, so don't try to force yourself to compare yourself with others.
But recently, I have come to know that there is a more essential prayer topic than such a prayer. It means praying for me, but the content should be different. It is the parable of the mustard seed in the text.
Heaven is like a mustard seed planted by a farmer in his field. A mustard seed is a very small thing, but when planted, it grows into a large tree. So far, I have focused on farmers who plant mustard seeds. My prayer is proof of that. “Give me the power. give me wisdom I have prayed, “Give me a horse,” and this prayer is, as it were, “God, I am going out to the field today to plant mustard seeds. It’s like praying, “Give me a nice dress, give me a degree, and give me a new hoe.” In other words, we pray for the farmer's own qualifications.
But here is the problem. If you think about it, it doesn't matter what clothes the farmer wears. It doesn't even matter if the farmer is from elementary school or from a PhD. The farmer's figure doesn't matter either. Neither the farmer's height nor the circumference of his horse matter. It doesn't matter if you're male or female. It doesn't matter who planted it. If you plant it in the soil, the seed will sprout and grow.
The reason is that before the appearance of the farmer, the seed already contains the power of life to sprout and grow. There is no need for the farmer to pray all night and fast for the seed. Even if the farmer does not do that, the seed already contains the power of life. There is already power in the seed, regardless of the farmer. That ability was planted by God.
Ultimately, what is decisive for the sower farmer is: “These seeds in my hands now contain the power of life. It will surely sprout and grow. This is not because I sow, but because of the seed. Even if someone else planted it, it will sprout. I believe in the vitality of seeds. I believe in God who planted this mysterious power in the seed.”
I finally found out. What really matters to a farmer is trust. Until now, I have thought that a hoe should be good, a farmer should dress well, a farmer should study a lot, etc. At the same time, I thought that no matter how many seeds were planted, they would not sprout and grow because such conditions were not met. But it was wrong. Seeds are meant to sprout and grow. God has already done that. What we really lack is faith in God who planted the seed with vitality.
I have now decided to change my prayers. “God, help us to believe that there is life force in the words of the gospel that you have already given us. Convince me that no matter who planted it, if it was planted, it would surely sprout and grow through the hard ground of people's souls. Even if this land is Yeongdo, Busan, or whoever sows, please help me to believe that the word of God breathes life force.”
If you believe and plant, the seed will sprout and grow. That's the principle. If you sit without planting while blaming only the farmer who sows, there will be no fruit. Let's not blame the field. Let us sow by faith.
Do you suffer from a sense of inferiority? Looking at ourselves can lead to a feeling of inferiority. But let's look at the seed that has already been entrusted to us. Let's look at the Words and opportunities God has given us. If we believe and go out, we will be able to bear fruit, not because of us, but “because of God” who gives birth.
When that happens, we say, “It is not because of me, the farmer, that the seed sprouted and grew. So I don't deserve any honor. May God accept all things.” I pray that Yeongdo Central Church will diligently sow the word of the gospel.