"The Kingdom of God can be likened to a man who sows seed in the ground, sleeps and rises, night and day, and the seed sprouts and grows, he knows not how, for the earth produces by itself first the blade, then the ear, then the full grain in the ear" (Gospel of Mark, ch. 4, verses 26-28*)
"Therefore, brothers, be patient until the coming of the Lord. Notice how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, being patient over it, until it receives the early and late rains. You too, be patient; strengthen your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is near." (Epistle of James, ch. 5, verses 7-8*)
This seems to be the most passive stage for the farmer while awaiting the harvest. Again – it only seems so. In fact, this is the stage during which both the crops and the farmer grow. To a large extent, it is also a time for enforced rest, which can be quite a challenge for some of us. "How come I'm not doing anything?", "How come I'm keeping silent?", "But things are going badly!" are all thoughts a farmer who relies too heavily on himself and his labor might struggle with.
It's not bad to be responsible people. On the contrary, the Bible teaches us exactly the opposite. We cannot remain passive where we must intervene and help to change things for the better. Yet again, a good farmer knows what depends on him and what does not. He also knows from experience that there is a natural period of growth that occurs unseen in the soil, which he cannot monitor. This does not discourage him, especially when it's not his first planting. He has seen how things happen before. He may have also suffered great losses, for some circumstances are beyond his control. This is the moment for our trust in God – we have seen and know what the Lord has done in our lives personally and in those of people we know. God and His faithfulness can be found in the unchanging law of multiplication and the birth of new life. The seed bears fruit because these are the physical and biological laws to which all living things adhere. The spiritual seed bears fruit, for "My word that goes out from my mouth will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it." (Isaiah, ch. 55, verse 11*)
This is the part that is not ours – the very transformation deep in the human heart, which only the Holy Spirit can accomplish. How long does the period of waiting for the fruit take? There is no set period. Growth primarily depends on factors beyond the farmer's abilities and capabilities: if we have "sown" God's word in someone's heart, whether, how, and when the Word will bear enduring fruit depends on the Holy Spirit and the other person's will. Typically, we expect quick results or, if not quick, at least calculable ones: "If I have given this much, it should have already...". There is no such rule to be found in God's word. The only thing God leaves us as an instruction is to wait with faith, not with sight and observation.
So far, we've spoken of ourselves as farmers, and of the wheat grains and harvest as the repentant and those impacted by the Word, whom we’ve had access to and cared for. However, the picture would not be complete if we don’t consider ourselves in the place of the wheat grain. One way or another, the Lord has reached us with His Word, and someone has also sown in the soil of our hearts, for us to be called Christ’s disciples today. At what stage are we in the process, however? If we are in darkness, silence, and humidity, wondering whether we will ever see sunlight again, now is the time for faith and patience until the breakthrough. Until the first breath of fresh air, the first ray of light, the dazzling sight of all the ears around us swaying in the breeze. "For now we see indistinctly, as in a mirror, but then we will see face to face; now I know partially, but then I will know fully, as I am fully known." (First Corinthians, ch. 13, verse 12*)
The wheat grain remains hidden underground for months before the tender green shoots emerge from the black soil in the spring. At first, they are very small. So small that you might not even notice them and wearily glance skyward with another impatient question. But if you wait with confidence in the One who has given the snow, the rain, and now the spring sun, you will start to notice that the ground is no longer so black. It is already turning green.
Weekly Challenge: Plant something in a pot, cup, yogurt container, or even in cotton. Remember how we planted beans in cotton as children? The idea is to observe the growth process and see that everything takes time, both for your labor and for your character. Watch as the plant grows and remind yourself that the Lord and His Word cause you to grow as well. Tomorrow won't be like today. You won't be the same.
*Bible quotes are according to the text of the Bible, new translation from the original languages© Bulgarian Bible Society 2013.
Photo collage: Kiril Veselinski