What Falls On and In Our Hearts

Anne Lamott recalls in her book, Plan B: Further Thoughts on Faith (73): There's a lovely Hasidic story of a rabbi who always told his people that if they studied the Torah, it would put Scripture on their hearts. One of them asked, "Why on our hearts, and not in them?" The rabbi answered, "Only God can put Scripture inside. But reading sacred text can put it on your hearts, and then when your hearts break, the holy words will fall inside."

The potluck meal following worship on July 13 was wonderful. Thank you for your many delicious contributions. Shared meals are great occasions for fellowship. They are times to be fed spiritually and physically.

The Parable of the Sower in Matthew 13 was the sermon text for worship that day. There is power in gathering together in God's Word, especially as we get to know one another. The unity we share is in Christ and God's Word even though we are not yet well acquainted personally. Committed time in Scripture can prepare us for whatever may come our way in ministry. That's where Anne Lamott's Hasidic story affects me. Like the seeds scattered by the sower, most do not make it in good soil. They remain on the surface to be lost to birds, weeds or the sun. Likewise, our time in God's Word, whether in worship or personal devotions or small group Bible study, may not seem to bear fruit or result in a harvest. But then God uses some person or circumstance to break down or break through our spiritual soil, and we experience transforming power.

Are you aware of the primary entries on our Wayland UMC Facebook page? Kimberly Wolff, our Office Manager, makes almost daily entries of Scripture passages. I consider them seeds God uses to prepare us for growing opportunities.

Another dimension of the Parable of the Sower is Jesus' description of the harvest producing "a crop that was thirty, sixty, and even a hundred times as much as had been planted!" (13:8). Research in Palestinian farming in Jesus' time indicated a yield of seven times what was planted was a reasonable expectation. That yield allowed them to keep farming on the landowner's property but also kept them dependent on the landowner. Jesus' declaration of the amazing yields also had within it the subversive message that God's transforming power could set them free. It could allow them to dream of a new life for their families and communities. Let's not miss the potential of Jesus' message as we gather in God's Word for worship, study and prayer, and go forth with the Good News of God's love for us and the world.