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“Jesus Relieving My Anxiety”
[Jesus speaking] … “This is what the kingdom of God is like. A man scatters seed on the ground. Night and day, whether he sleeps or gets up, the seed sprouts and grows, though he does not know how. All by itself the soil produces grain—first the stalk, then the head, then the full kernel in the head. As soon as the grain is ripe, he puts the sickle to it, because the harvest has come.”
Greg R. writes:
As I began my daily devotions one Wednesday morning, I was not looking forward to being the leader of our high school ministry that night. Although our teens are basically “great kids,” I have gone home on more than one night wondering if I did any good at all.
The anxiety was creeping over me and that was not good. When I am anxious, I get short with the teens, am bugged by the little things and am less fun to be around.
The story of the seed that grows with no help from the farmer was a gift. My job was to sow seeds. “Sow seeds of the gospel? I can do that. With joy? I can do that.” Indeed I did.
With my role as farmer firmly in mind, I joyfully led our youth in worship, dinner time and Bible study. I was free to laugh and love with the teens. All I had to do was scatter the seeds of the Gospel of God’s love. What a great job.
Please note that the views expressed in this story are not necessarily the views of the American Bible Society. Story posted on March 7th, 2008 and filed under Praise, God's Love, Your Stories, Verses, Struggles, Mentoring.
March 7th, 2008 at 12:52 pm
Dear Greg R:
I could visualize the “The Kingdom of Heaven is like a mustard seed (Matthew 13:31) with your thriving youth ministry–taking roots, springing up, and will continue to produce abundant harvests.
Being also a humble servant of the Lord, I am mindful that while “…the harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore beseech the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest.” (Luke 10:2).
The plain and striking illustrations of the parables help bring my listeners, young and old to understand and appreciate the Kingdom of Heaven and His Plan of our Salvation, too.
I will be your follower to “scatter the seeds of the Gospel of God’s love,” rest assured :-).
Thank you, and
May GOD ALL MIGHTY Bless you and your ministry;
GODSPEED, always and forevermore!
Mary Sun.
March 7th, 2008 at 1:36 pm
Greg, thanks for sharing so honestly! And I’m inspired by your willingness to serve and love those kids! Not easy to do!
The nerd/mystic/philosopher/scientist/psychologist in me is also struck by how powerful (and helpful!) metaphors can be in our lives.
Thanks again, Greg! Blessings to you as you continue to sow the seed of God’s love.