Next Sunday’s Lectionary includes the parable of the sower. For most of my working life, including my time as a scientist, I’ve found it hard to know if what I’ve been doing has had any effect. I like to be able to see results – I like keeping spreadsheets of how far I’ve walked for example – but that is not an option for many of us. It takes a certain kind of character to plug away anyway – and at the same time keep one’s methods under review. Anyway, this parable is about a measurable harvest. There’s no suggestion that the sower was wrong to sow seed on the unproductive ground. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn’t – that’s just the way it goes. (That wouldn’t be a very good idea for today’s evidence-based farmer though).
As Christians, often we find that we sow and someone else reaps. I’ve done various bits of workplace chaplaincy, and I sometimes hear stories from people of how clergy have offended or mistreated them. The clergy themselves probably never got to hear of the (unhappy) effect they were having. I suggest that even if there may be no direct consequences for us, we need to display the love of Christ in actions as well as words. Naturally, that’s easier said than done!
Small street walk this morning, in the showeriness. I hope to do another bit later.