Cultivating

This has been an incredible time of ministry with our Ignite Mission team. It has been such a blessing to serve together sharing the hope of Christ. As we ministered, the Parable of the Sower in Matthew 13 kept coming to mind. Gardening involves more than just scattering seeds. It also requires cultivating the soil so that the seeds can flourish. Evangelism is similar with our hearts being like the soil that needs tending. As we cultivated relationships, we also cultivated the soil in which the seeds of God’s Word were planted.

Each person we met had a unique story, a unique need – each relationship we built was divinely appointed by God. Just like soil, our hearts are cultivated in stages, and I loved how the Lord used each team member to do that cultivating based on their own gifts and testimonies.

We met hardened hearts that were softened through kindness, serving, and thought-provoking questions. We encountered rocky soil where we helped to counsel and comfort. We encountered the weeds of traditional, ancestral beliefs and sprayed them with “Round-up” from God’s Word. We encountered strong Believers with fertile soil whom we simply encouraged.

Sharing God’s Word may seem intimidating; something best left to pastors and evangelists. But it’s definitely something we all can do, and are called to do. As we built relationships, God used us to tend the soil of many hearts – sowing the seeds of His truth that will reap a harvest in His perfect timing. And as this happened, the Lord ministered to us as well, tending the soil of our hearts - removing rocks and weeds, and planting His truths down deeper.

I’m excited for the great harvest this will bring in the lives of each of us!