The Bible describes the process of sharing our faith as a farming metaphor. The word of God is a seed. We do the work of planting the seed until there is a harvest. It is a simple image that those of us in the Midwest can easily understand as we live in the middle of farm country.

This word picture as used in the Bible does give us the primary activities of planting and watering as part of sharing Jesus. But knowing a little bit about farming and even more about sharing my faith I have seen that there are far more actions required to have a successful harvest. In fact, there is a lot of hard work that goes into farming long before the seed is ever planted.

First, the land must be cleared of any obstructions. Trees may need to be removed and grass cut. Then the ground needs to be prepared. The soil must be properly “worked” before it can be planted. This might even include some form of fertilizer to help make the ground the receptive to the seed. Turning a plot of land into a field requires hours of labor to make it productive.

I often view my work in ministry like that of a farmer. I spend numerous hours trying to clear away obstructions that people have built up against faith. I work the ground of people’s heart to soften them up to the message of Jesus. I add in moments that will help to make them open to the work of the Lord in their lives. Honestly, sometimes it takes 3-5 years or more before I am ever able to talk to some people about Jesus.

I work hard to be a good farmer of the gospel. The problem I have is when someone comes along and tries to plant the seed of faith before the soil is ready. Suddenly I find myself trying to keep a small seedling alive in the middle of a pile of brush or the hard, unfertilized soil of their life.

Here are a couple of things that destroy the work I am trying to do as a Christian farmer.

1. Don’t Turn Every Speaking Opportunity Into a Sermon
I know as Christians we applaud the sports star who takes the microphone after a big game and proclaims his faith in Jesus. But you need to understand that their “star” status has given them a unique platform. Some people, inspired by what they see on TV, take anytime they are asked to talk as an opportunity to launch into a sermon. I have found this repels most people from faith rather than attract them. Sometimes the best thing you can do is what you are assigned to do. If you are asked to welcome people to an event, then welcome them. If you are asked to speak about your time in the military, then tell them about your struggles during those times. You do not have to turn every speaking opportunity into a sermon to have a positive effect as a Christian.

2. Don’t Make Everything About Jesus
I once knew a guy who made a commitment to talk about Jesus to everyone he encountered in his life. At first it sounded noble, but eventually, it just became annoying. Some people simply want to talk about themselves and their interests before they will listen to you. The one big tip I can give anyone who wants to share their faith is simple, “Ask questions and listen to answers.” I believe that as a Christian it is okay to talk about racing, football, fishing, movies and just about anything without ever mentioning Jesus. Frequently these conversations will one day break the ground of the hard soil of someone’s heart.

3. Don’t Argue About Bible Passages With a Stranger.
Numerous times people have found out that I was a preacher and they wanted to argue with me about something in the Bible or faith. Quite often these people are searching for answers but me arguing with them will not bring the desired result. In those situations, the first thing I ask is for people to share their story with me. This is vital. Why are you asking these things? The second thing I do is ask if we can set down and have a full discussion later. Honestly, I have never found that arguing or having a heated discussion has ever done much good in the long run.

I could spend a lot of space telling you every struggle I have had, but these are the biggest ones I am dealing with lately. I know that as believers we want to share the gospel and we want to do it now. Sometimes now is not the right time. There is work to be done making the soil ready. I once heard a man say it takes 8-10 positive Christian contacts in a row before a person is open to the message of Jesus. You and I might not be number 10 who sees the conversion, but we might be number 6 who keeps the Lord’s work moving along. My plea is that you are also not the negative experience that sends the work back to 1. Let’s all use our heads and work together for the good of the kingdom.

As a pastor, I am always trying to communicate the truth of the gospel in some way. I teach and preach. I write and post. I talk to people in small groups and individually. Simply put, I try to explain the life of a believer in every way that I able.

I work to make everything I say the clear, engaging and understandable. I do think God is present while I work, but I work as if the world depended on me. That is all that I can do.

Then God steps in and takes what I do and connects it to where it is needed.

I can’t completely explain why you came to Church that Sunday. I can’t entirely explain why the sermon was on that topic. I can’t completely explain why the songs on the radio, the conversation you had with a friend or simply the way you are feeling all align with what I taught that time. The only explanation I have is that I serve in a place where God consistently shows up and puts everything together.

I do not believe this is limited to preachers and pastors. This is a reality for everyone who believes. As you go out into the world living for Jesus and sharing his message with the people, you know God will show up and put people in your path who need you and your message.

I think if you open yourself up to God he will speak to you. If you allow God to use your life, you will speak through you. I firmly believe God is at work in ways we cannot even imagine. You just never know what God is going to do with you and through you today.

Here is a thought for everyone today. I hope all of you have a blessed Sunday.

Here are some of the best articles I read this week. I hope you enjoy them and have a great weekend.

STOP BEING ON FIRE FOR JESUS – Interesting article about something I hear quite often.

Ten Questions Christians Should Ask of Their Entertainment – Thinking through your entertainment choices.

Tim Keller: 3 Questions Fake Christians Can’t Answer – Penetrating questions to think through and evaluate your faith.

5 Things to Never Say to Your Adult Children – Great thoughts as two of my children now shift into adulthood.

Let’s All Take a Lesson From These Two Exhausted College Students – Great picture. Worth a quick look.

In defense of the tree emoji – simple thought from Seth Godin.

This weekend is not only Mother’s Day, but today is my mom’s birthday. I hope she has a wonderful day and weekend.

She will never know the total impact she has had on my life and my faith. She nurtured in me a caring heart for other people.

I read this story years ago, and every time I think of my mom this story comes to mind. I hope it makes you think of your mother too.

A teacher was teaching her math class about fractions.

She asked little Johnny a question. “Suppose your mother baked a pie and there were seven people for dinner that night. There were your parents, the three children, and two guests. What part of the pie would you get?”

“A sixth,” replied the boy.

“I’m afraid you don’t know your fractions,” said the teacher. “Remember, there are seven of you.”

“Yes, teacher,” Johnny said, “but you don’t know my mother. Mother would say she didn’t want any pie just so everyone else could have a bigger piece.”

Happy Mother’s Day to all, especially my mom.

There are two sides of communication. There is what is said and what is meant. Have you ever had someone quote you almost verbatim and then you said, “That’s not how I meant it.”

I think this is one of the things that makes communication so hard. This is true for marriages, parents, friendships and every other important connection we have in life. It is even true for Christians.

Not only is it easy to read into people’s words, but we also should consider their tone of voice, body language, the context of the discussion along with their personal situation at that moment.

Communication is hard, and it is easy for us to approach life in a very negative way. I know I find myself thinking evil about people of which I have barely had a conversation. I know I can read a post on social media and get frustrated by a sentence without ever talking to that person.

Here are some thoughts that I am trying to use to help me in my thinking.

1. Think the Best of Others.
Try to see the world from a positive standpoint. Instead of jumping to negative conclusions, why not jump to positive ones. I am sure when they said that they were trying to offer a compliment. I am sure you meant those words as a blessing and I will hear them that way.

2. Be Careful with Ascribing Intent.
It is easy for me to think you said that to try and hurt me. You did that on purpose. You are trying to be mean. You probably set up at night and plan ways to make my life miserable. Most likely, none of those things are true. The reality is that this person probably has not thought about you at all, it was just a misspoken word. Try not to read more into a situation than it deserves.

3. Don’t assume meanings, especially negative ones.
Let me say a sentence, and you tell me what it means. “Did you see that new shirt?” Does that mean the person cannot believe you bought another new shirt? The emphasis on the word new in a negative sense. Does that mean the person cannot imagine that anyone would buy a shirt that ugly? The emphasis is on the word see in a negative sense. Does the person mean that they cannot believe you are wearing that as a shirt? The emphasis is on the word shirt, meaning it is too long or way too short even to be considered a shirt. Does the person simply mean that they think it is a nice-looking shirt? Three of the four conclusions we can draw from one six-word sentence are negative. See how easy it is to assign negative meanings? Be on your guard against this type of thinking.

4. When in Doubt, Just Ask.
I know this is a novel concept, but if you find yourself thinking negatively of another person why don’t you just go talk to them. Ask them to explain their words and what they meant. When we find ourselves going negative on people, then we are required to confront them directly in a loving manner. Believers see this as a command of their faith to deal with people face to face.

Personally, I know I struggle with my negative thoughts about people. In over 24 years of ministry, I have become jaded toward people. I am committing myself to guarding my heart in both what is going in, but also what is coming out. Staying positive is hard, but it really is the best for everyone.

I have dedicated my life to helping other people. I assist them in understanding the Bible. I help them to think about God. I help married couples and parents who are struggling. I help people rebuild after failure and plan for a better future.

As I try to help people through the years, I have learned there are several different reactions –

1. Try to help someone, and you can be ignored.
Since my advice is free, many people listen but do nothing with it. Usually, there is a moment down the road where I want to say, “I told you so,” but I don’t. You can have perfect advice for a given situation, and some people will never do a thing you suggested.

2. Try to help someone, and you can be selectively heard.
More than once I have talked to someone after a counseling session, and they have said they did that thing I suggested. After a few minutes, I realize they only heard part of my suggestion. For example, I have told people to set aside 40 days to pray, seek counsel, read their Bible and then make a decision. The people will mark their calendar for a 40-day mark and then not do any of the necessary daily work to see their decision more clearly.

3. Try to help someone, and you can be misunderstood.
I have heard things like, “So you think you are a better parent than I am?” For a long time, I heard, “You will understand this better when you are older.” Many times, my words of advice have fallen on deaf ears because people read into my words. They thought my words were an attack on their life instead of a helping hand.

4. Try to help someone, and you can be abused.
Some people take your help, and then they will take advantage of you. They will want all your time and attention. They will call at inappropriate times. They will soon feel more like a stalker than a friend. Picture the movie “What About Bob?” if you have ever seen that.

5. Try to help someone, and you can be the help they need.
Occasionally my thoughts and time are well spent. You talk to someone, and the words penetrate their heart and soul. You will speak the power of life and hope into their situation, and they will never be the same. Their marriage will be healed. Their family will connect. Their soul will be refreshed to move forward. Grace will invade the situation, and God will do a mighty work.

The last one is the reason I keep offering counseling and conversation. One out of every five people I try to help will be a success story. Most of my attempts to help people are miserable failures. It is easy to want to give up. Then something happens that I didn’t expect and good things are produced.

I know some of you are trying to help your family and your friends. It is easy to get discouraged and give up, but let me challenge you today. You might be the voice they need to hear. Today may be the success story you have been praying God would bring.

The next few days bring an end to my second son’s high school career. Tomorrow is his last day of school, an awards banquet, a senior dinner, and a baccalaureate service. Thursday, we have a reception for him at my Church and then on Friday is the commencement ceremony. Three more days and it is all over.

I have been thinking about all the things I want to say not only to my son but to all of those who graduate this year.

1. Please Don’t Abandon Your Roots – We raised you to the best of our ability, and we tried to give you strong roots in our faith. There will be a huge opportunity for you to quit the faith during your college years. Temptations will abound, and there will be no one to keep you pointed the right direction. I taught you to live a life of faith because I believe it is the best possible way to live. It will give you everything you need for life, and I beg you to continue to walk in the ways of the Lord.

2. Your Family is Always Here for You – This is true in our home, and I hope it is true for you. We may not be perfect, but we love you and always have a place for you. Visit frequently, call or text and stay connected. As you leave the house this year a part of our heart goes with you. Our relationship will never be the same, but that does not have to mean it will be any less caring. In fact, I think our relationship can be stronger into the future.

3. Connect to a Church – It will be extremely hard to get up for Church the next few years. I went to Bible college, and I still struggled with it. Still, try and find a way to connect. Go to a Saturday evening worship program, maybe a weekday service or even find the latest one on Sunday morning. Attend a Church and learn from the people there. Try to bless them while you are able and one day they will bless you in unexpected ways. The life of faith is meant to be lived in the community, even in college.

4. God Loves You More than Anyone – On life’s journey, you are going to make some enormous mistakes. You will fail large and loud. Everyone will know what you have done, and you will feel overwhelming guilt and shame. Don’t think for a minute that God does not love you. He offers his grace to sinners everywhere, and he will be there when you need him. I can’t explain it completely but one day grace will be all you have, and it will be all you need.

5. Live Fearless – God has a plan for your life. Take adventures. Travel the world. Meet new people. Talk to that girl. Cross the street and offer a helping hand. Connect to people even though some will hurt you. Smile to everyone. Move. Start over. The only limit in your life will be you. God will open doors all around you, and you can run through them or sit quietly and let them close. Live boldly and allow God to do an amazing thing in you and through you.

For me, this will be another emotional week in a long line of dramatic life events. I know it will be a new experience for each senior too. Stay strong and be courageous. Enjoy the moments like this that life gives and thank God for every beautiful moment. A tried to teach you well and go and make me, and all of us, proud.

Do you want to grow spiritually to be more like Christ? Do you want to know your Bible better? Do you want to read more Christian literature? Do you want to be a better disciple?

That seems like a minor question, but it is actually the key to all growth.

The one key piece of all growth is desire.

Do you want it? Do you really want it? Do you seriously want this to happen in your life? Are you willing to work hard to make it happen? Do you truly have a sincere desire to grow?

I am sure you have heard the expression, “Where there is a will, there is a way.” That one statement speaks truth to the most important aspect of all improvement. Do you have the will to do what is required to grow?

Quite often we spend time in the Church trying to give you the right tools to grow. We create opportunities and events where you can grow. We put together programs and practices to help you improve your walk with Christ. We push people toward conferences and seminars in an effort to make them better disciples.

The truth is much simpler. If you desire real and lasting change, nothing will stop it from happening. You will find the tools. You will come up with a plan. You will find the time.

The problem with most people is not a lack of information. The problem is a lack of desire.

What do you want to do this week? What do you really want to do?

Here is a thought for your Sunday afternoon. I hope you have a great weekend and a blessed week.