By Judy Wallace
I was a new, young bride, totally clueless about what it meant to be a farmer’s wife. My dad was always home for dinner by 5:30 p.m., so I figured my hubby would be too. I was wrong. My first stab at a home-cooked meal was ready at 5:30 p.m., but my farmer came home at 9 p.m.! Little did I know that my early lesson about farming would also teach me much about spiritual sowing, because preparing the ground for a crop is much like preparing hearts to receive the good news of Jesus Christ.
Many long hours were involved in making a crop, most of which were spent in preparing the soil to accept the seed. First, there was plowing. Reaching deep into the soil, the plow would bring up clods and chunks that would have to be removed. Next came the discing that broke up the clods, while the chunks often had to be removed by hand. Sometimes chemicals were used to either kill weeds or fertilize the soil. This could be done with a spray coop or by crop dusters. Finally, the do-it-all would be run over the field to smooth it all down and get the field ready for the planter.
In earlier articles, I have shared about being “seed flingers.” Everywhere we go, we can and should display a countenance of joy and peace. These two attributes are sorely missing in our world today, so when we exhibit these, people take notice. Try walking through Walmart smiling all the way! You will be surprised at how many will smile back. Even that small gesture can open up conversations that could lead to deeper interaction.
But let’s more closely examine preparing the field. The greatest teacher of all, Jesus Christ, gave us the analogy of differing soils. He even revealed to us that only one-fourth of those who are exposed to the seed would respond positively. These analogies remind us that Jesus’ command to “go and tell” often involves long-term, intentional relationships — work that requires careful soil preparation.
Pray for a field. The fields we are used to are more like lush meadows with beautiful flowers. They’re our Christian friends and like-minded folk who already know Jesus as their Savior. That’s where we like to put in our time and effort. But we must go into the highways and hedges where the weeds grow, and the clods and chunks are obvious. These people may not be ready for the Roman Road, the Four Spiritual Laws or the Evangelism Explosion. They need to see Jesus! They need to know who God is and all that He has done for them.
A sower went out to sow. He didn’t arise and wonder what his task was for that day. He knew he was to sow and he knew what it involved. We know what the task is for our life… “go and tell!” We might not feel prepared, but if we are determined to obey His commands, we will by faith know that what He calls us to do He will equip us to do it!
The book of Proverbs reminds us that “he who wins souls is wise” (Prov. 11:30), and Luke 14:23 urges us to go into the highways and hedges and compel people to come in. Sometimes, however, before we can reach others, we must let God work in our own hearts. Hosea 10:12 reminds us to break up the fallow ground, because sometimes we are the ones with clods and chunks that need to be removed so His Word can take root in us.
So, remember this: you are a sower. This is not just the task of pastors or missionaries — God has sent each one of us into His field.
Be a seed flinger. Let joy and peace shine through you in everyday life, because even small gestures can open doors for deeper conversations.
Pray for a field. Ask God to put someone in your path who needs to see and hear about Him, and be willing to cultivate that relationship.
And finally, obey. John 14:21 reminds us that when we love Him, we will keep His commands — and as we do, He promises to make Himself known to us. When He answers that prayer, step forward in faith, knowing that what He calls you to do, He will equip you to do.
And so, let us make this our prayer: “Father, I write out of the conviction of my own heart that this is what I am to be doing. Open my eyes to someone that I am to build a relationship with for the very purpose of leading them to You.” May this prayer not only be words on a page, but a daily commitment to live as sowers in His field.
