“As he sowed, some seed fell along the path, and the birds came and devoured them.” Matthew 13:4
At a funeral visitation I was talking with some folks in the center aisle. As we concluded our conversation, a young man tugged on my coat sleeve and asked, “Do you do weddings?” He and his fiancé had been listening to our conversation and something sparked their interest. We met sometime afterwards, and I was blessed to officiate their wedding. That chance encounter led to another wedding and two funerals much later.
Sometimes our voices are overheard, and we unintentionally impact the lives of others. Such is the point of the verse above. The sower was not sowing the seed along the path deliberately. Yet, as he sowed, some seed fell along the path. The seed which fell along the path was incidental. It was placed there by accident but still met a need. Jesus explained later that this seed, the “word” was heard but not understood. The birds (evil one) came and ate it before it had the opportunity to take root.
Even though this seed did not bear fruit, it did have an impact. It was heard! Seldom does someone hear the word of truth, the gospel, and respond to it immediately. Statisticians believe it takes twelve to seventeen times for someone to hear the message of Christ before it passes from the mind to the heart. Therefore, this incidental seed on the path is still very significant.
This illustrates the importance of the sower having set out to sow. Had the sower not sown the seed in the good ground, the accidental seed would never have taken place. Let us not lose heart then and keep our determination to be sowers, witnesses to the Good News. We may never see or know the impact our conversations have on those who may be listening and hearing!
Go therefore and sow!
Blessed by you… Bro. Sherman
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