“A farmer went out to sow his seed. As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path; it was trampled on, and the birds of the air ate it up” (Luke 8:5 NIV).
Some Sundays are more challenging than others. This past Sunday was like that. I should have been prepared for it, but I wasn’t. Anytime I speak on something like suffering, it seems that we experience a little more difficulty that day.
I think perhaps it makes the evil one nervous when we get really honest about life and how we’re facing it. He seems to work extra hard to distract and divert our attention when we come together to be sharpened in our faith, especially when some are on the fence of decision.
So, I shouldn’t have been surprised that when I first arrived on campus Sunday morning, one of the tech guys meets me at the door with, “Hey pastor, we’re having trouble with the powerpoint this morning, we might be going really low tech today.”
I wonder if Jesus ever had trouble with his visual aids? Can you see the disciple named Thaddaeus (unlike Peter, James, and John, he worked more behind the scenes, probably a tech guy) pulling Jesus off to the side and urgently whispering in his ear?
“Lord, I wouldn’t go for the multiplying the loaves and fishes thing today. We’re having trouble finding a boy with a sack lunch.”
I just don’t find that story anywhere in the gospels. Yet, Jesus does warn that when the “farmer” sows the seed of God’s Word that the “birds of the air” try to snatch it away before it can settle into the soil of the human heart. Jesus makes us aware that sowing the Word has its challenges.
At the first service on Sunday I’m standing there singing along with the praise songs (internally praying “God, please make the lyrics start appearing on the screen”), when I see something fluttering against the window. A mockingbird is fluttering and pecking against the window right beside the projection screen. And man, is he ever persistent!
I start praying, “Lord, make that bird go away!” (I know I look like I’m spiritually communing in the holy of holies during worship, but I may just be begging God to make the amp stop buzzing.) That mockingbird fluttered against the window through three worship songs. What a distraction!
When it was time for me to go up to preach, I wait for the video testimony about suffering to play, but the audio never comes on. I walk up on the platform and try to shake it off. I start preaching what the Lord has placed upon my heart. At first all of the distractions seem to have knocked us all off course. The human heart is so easily distracted.
Finally, I sense the power of God’s Word prevail. There is so much beyond our control. But we can control whether we will sow the Word. And then, trust that His Word will not return void.
It turned out to be a great Sunday. Dozens lined up after both services to express how God’s Word had spoken to their specific situation.
God’s Word did its work. It always does.
But I must admit, I still have thoughts of going back over to CCS sometime during the night…
… to kill a mockingbird.
I have come accustomed to the bird during the service, you must not have noticed that some mornings he rotates between the two back doors on either side of the stage. No problem with me, but however I know a guy, who’s cousin’s wife’s nephew’s uncle knows a guy who could take care of that bird for you. I’ll run interference with PETA for you if need be. Take care, and see you friday night.
http://linuxheels.blogspot.com
I’ll have my people contact your people.
So, do we call you Atticus or Jem now?
Don’t call attention to me at all. The mockingbird did not appear this past Sunday and I want it to be clear that I had no involvement in its disappearance. I know nothing.