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In Mathew 13 there is the account of a sower who went out to sow. It is the story of seeds that fell along the path and were devoured by birds. It is the story of other seeds that fell  on rocky ground where there was little soil for them to take root; the scorching killed them because they had no root. It’s the story of still other seeds that fell among thorns and how the weeds choked them. Finally, it’s the story of seeds that fell on good ground and produced a harvest.
I served for eight years on Active Duty in the United States Marine Corps and one year with the Army. I left the armed forces this year to complete my education and to answer the call that God has placed on my life. While in the military I preached the Gospel in the evenings and weekends at local homeless shelters and nursing homes. I also sowed many seeds of faith into the lives of my junior Marines, Civilian Workers, and Soldiers.
John was one such Marine. He grew up in a rough family situation and found accepting or trusting people difficult. I often counseled him both professionally and personally. John had, and perhaps still has, an unreceptive heart and never accepted the words of Jesus Christ. Those seeds fell on rocky ground and never had even the opportunity to take root.
Rob is a fun loving young man who can see the truth but seldom musters the dedication needed to apply it to his life. After realizing the truth he is excited, but without conviction, his faith soon withers and dies. He asked me to testify as his character witness at his hearing because he knew I would be honest concerning his failures and his successes. As often is the case, he wanted to take responsibility for his mistakes, but he learned from them for only a short time. After his rank was reduced, I took his rank insignia from him and had it mounted on a stone next to an engraving of the Bible verse I often quoted to him for the nearly three years: “A double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.” (James 1:8 ESV) Those seeds fell on rocky ground and were immediately scorched by the sun after sprouting because they had no root.
 Hank is a young man who would prefer not to take too many things seriously. A lover of drink, sports, and sleep, he carelessly strolls through life to beat of a smooth jazz song. After hearing the gospel he was interested in studying the Bible and fellowshipping with God. Unwilling to give up any of his pleasures in life, he lost his God-focus and followed the advice of his bar going friends: “Life is short, what do you need with religion? We live today so today… we dance.” Those seeds fell among thorns, and the weeds around them rose up and choked them.
In the most unlikely of candidates I recently found the seed that would take root and produce a harvest. Alex is a young man with facial piercings, baggy clothes, and a great talent for art of all types. I received an unexpected phone call from him recently telling me that he had an “epiphany,” (a divine manifestation) – that he had decided that his life has been a vain attempt to live like a rock star. All of the parties, cars, and women have not brought him the peace he desires. “I can no longer deny Christ. As for the future, well, I do not know where this path will take me.”
God is a God of miracles. Never put him in a box! He is the God who used the crippled to run marathons, the broken of spirit to bring His healing love to others; He employs the paralyzed to paint wondrous scenes using a paint brush and their teeth; and he is the God who waters the seeds we plant and makes them grow.
article by Chris Surber
email him at psalms139@comcast.net
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