The sower in our midst
IN Christ Jesus' beautiful parable of the sower,1 some of the seed, or ``word of God,'' as the Bible calls it, fell into good ground. But some also fell ``by the way side'' or on rock or among thorns. The seed that fell into good ground prospered. But, for logical reasons, that which fell elsewhere did not. Are we today alive to the work of the sower as he plants the seed of the Word in our hearts? We might think of the sower as the Christ, the divine influence bringing enlightenment and healing to human consciousness. Jesus embodied this Christ-power more fully than anyone ever has or will. That's why he's the Way-shower -- Christ Jesus. Jesus told his disciples at one point, ``Lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world.''2 Christ, the divine idea of God, is as present today as it was then.
Because Christ comes forth from an active, powerful God, it is itself active. It has a healing impact. It saves, heals, lifts thought, clarifies, conquers evil, promotes good. Mary Baker Eddy, the Discoverer and Founder of Christian Science, says, ``Christ is the true idea voicing good, the divine message from God to men speaking to the human consciousness.''3
Because it is ``idea,'' Christ acts upon thought. It's not a bodily form. Yet this divine message is more than just a good thought that pops into human thinking. Since the source of the idea is God Himself, it carries all the power, continuity, and longevity of God with it.
Because this seed, or Word of God, is actually from God, it imparts the truth of God and man, touching human consciousness with a sense of God's infinite love and care, and revealing something of man's spotless, spiritual selfhood as God's likeness.
The exact nature of the message, of course, varies greatly. But whether it is small or large, rousing or calming, it ``voices good.'' Christ always promotes brotherhood, productivity, fidelity, and health, rather than their opposites. This is because God is good and produces only good.
We too have our part to play in the sower's work, however.
Because Christ is always active, the sower is always sowing. The precious seed is never really wasted. But we can quicken its work through a wholehearted embrace of both planting and growth.
Think of it this way. If you or I suddenly needed to grow all of our own food, our attitude might quickly go beyond that of a leisure-time gardener. We would no doubt value each small seed going into the ground. We would water carefully, weed diligently, and tend each plant with care. Shouldn't we do the same with the seed the sower plants in our hearts?
How do we avoid the pitfalls the parable points out -- the rocks, the wayside, the choking brambles?
Isn't it a matter of watching our thinking, our motives and aims, making sure undesirable thoughts don't creep in so that the seed of the Word is choked? Of course, this can be a demanding task! But we can choose the path for our thinking. The God-inspired path, full of order and peace, is always at hand. The habit of choosing this path in every activity of our lives can be cultivated. Then our consciousness will become the ``good soil,'' ready for the sower's seed and for the productivity that follows.
1Luke 8:5-15. 2Matthew 28:20. 3Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, p. 332.
You can find more articles like this one in the Christian Science Sentinel, a weekly magazine. DAILY BIBLE VERSE: Whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. Philippians 4:8