THE LATEST FROM TIM SPYKSTRA:
To The Place Where I Belong
A 31-Day Devotional on John 13-17
THE LATEST FROM TIM SPYKSTRA:
To The Place Where I Belong
A 31-Day Devotional on John 13-17
God’s Great Big Garden
They day was picture perfect, as a 140 young people from 7 different townships gathered to play a 3 on 3 soccer tournament. It is hard to explain the pure joy that permeated over the fields as the teams played in an environment so foreign to where they come from.
No gangs or violence. Bathrooms with running water. Two healthy meals provided. A whole lot of love and encouragement soaked up.
On Saturday a team of high school students from Parker Lutheran High School in Colorado helped at this event. They all jumped right in setting up, doing registration, preparing and serving meals, cheerleading, cleaning up, and even playing in a few soccer games.
As I walked around the fields taking it all in the words “planting seeds” kept popping into my mind. There was an overwhelming presence of joy apparent not just with the participants but with those who served. At the same time there was a sadness knowing most would return at the end of the time to difficult and dark places.
Yet, seeds of God’s Kingdom were planted on those soccer fields. Jesus’ parable of the growing seed in Mark 4:26-29 states:
“The Kingdom of God is as if a man should scatter seed on the ground. He sleeps and rises night and day, and the seed sprouts and grows; he knows not how. The earth produces by itself, first the blade, then the ear, then the full grain in the ear. But when the grain is ripe, at once he puts in the sickle, because the harvest has come.”
God was preparing hearts for His Kingdom seeds to be planted deeply into the hearts of these young people. I thought about all the different ways God was planting seeds that day. A Gospel message by Pastor Raymond before the event started. A generous gift from a friend in the US to Oceans to help make this day possible. Volunteers of all ages poured so much energy and time serving and loving on these young people.
But at the end of the day it comes down to a supernatural work of the Spirit of God. Just like the parable describes the farmer watching for the seed to sprout and grow, even though, “he knows not how.” Yes, God uses people to go out into the world with a message of His love through actions and His Word. But only He can change hearts, and what a huge big relief this is to know that part is in His hands.
The Father calls us to go into His big garden and plant seeds for His Kingdom by serving and loving others as He loved us. It is His Spirit that takes a dead seed, plants it in His Kingdom soil, and in His time brings the seed to life.
Today in faith may you plant a seed into the mystery of God’s Kingdom garden. Let Him use your hands, feet, and words, to testify to His supernatural saving love that causes a dead seeds to come alive and fill the earth with aroma of His Kingdom garden.
