08/13/2024
For the past twelve years, I have been praying for God to renew, reshape, and revive a particular area of our church’s focus. Twelve years. Some of the seeds that were planted 100 years ago in the formation of our church took root and flourished. Others remained dormant and inactive. But now, as our church family prepares to celebrate our 100th Anniversary, we’re beginning to see dormant seeds triggered for life-giving growth. One of the lessons I continuously learn is don’t give up hope.
We all have areas in our lives where we have prayed for years only to see little change, little growth, or little response. It seems like the seeds we have planted in our marriages or with our children have simply been lying in the soil of our hopes and dreams with no sign of life. If that’s you, I encourage you, don’t give up hope.
The oldest seed ever to be germinated was discovered in the ruins of King Herod’s palace at Masada in Israel. Mark Sayers writes, “In 2008, a group of researchers planted the seed in soil. Amazingly, this 2,000-year-old seed germinated, growing into a palm plant” (A Non-Anxious Presence, 120).
What scientists know about seeds is that they can preserve and transport life over great times and distances by encasing potential within their tiny form. They contain everything needed for germination…except the right environment and soil. Seeds move from dormancy to life when they’re placed in the right soil. The chemicals of the seed’s outer coat sense when it’s in nutrient-rich soil, resulting in activation and growth.
As the 2,000-year-old seeds from the ruins of Herod’s palace demonstrate, it’s never too late for new life to be released and burst forth.
You may have many dreams for your marriage, family, church, or life that seem dead at the moment. But, again, don’t give up hope. The seed reminds us not to mistake dormancy for death. Your dreams may be dormant right now, but it doesn’t mean they’re dead.
As Jesus taught in the parable of the sower, when a seed is planted in good soil, it will produce “a crop—a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown” (Matt. 13:8). Good soil, according to Jesus, is when we hear the Word and grasp the fullness of its meaning. Bad soil, in contrast, is an environment of worldly comfort and wealth, leading to anxiety.
I’m grateful beyond measure for our church’s 100 years of faithfully planting the seeds of God’s Word and the hope of Jesus Christ. And I’m amazed that even after twelve years of praying for God to renew, reshape, and revive us, we’re beginning to see some additional seeds roused from dormancy into the activation of new life.
May the same be true for you as well. Keep planting seeds in good soil, and don’t give up hope.
“I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God has been making it grow” (1 Cor. 3:6).
