“As he scattered them across his field, some seeds fell on a footpath, and the birds came and ate them. Other seeds fell on shallow soil with underlying rock. The seeds sprouted quickly because the soil was shallow. But the plants soon wilted under the hot sun, and since they didn’t have deep roots, they died. Other seeds fell among thorns that grew up and choked out the tender plants. Still other seeds fell on fertile soil, and they produced a crop that was thirty, sixty, and even a hundred times as much as had been planted!” (Matthew 13:4-8 from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation)
I hesitated when I was asked to write devotions for More to Life in August 2004, then agreed to fill in temporarily. Sowing seeds of faith and encouragement was a daunting task at first but smoothed out when I relied on prayer and inspiration to guide my words. As this devotion launches the beginning of my tenth year of contributions, I wonder about the seeds I planted. Were they crushed by stones of adversity? Choked by weeds of oppression? Or, did the seed take root and thrive? Jesus didn’t guarantee an excellent harvest. He only told me to plant the seed.
Prayer: Lord Jesus, I pray that You will strengthen those who struggle among thorns and weeds of discouragement. Refresh them with strong roots in You. Amen.
Devotion by Violet Carr Moore
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