God set the world up in order, and in order that we may learn of Him and His ways in the things that He has made. This is the principle that the Apostle Paul is referring to in Romans 1:20 (LSB): “since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, both His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made”.
Our Lord applies this principle to farming, and its connection to the Kingdom of God. For instance, in the parable of the sower in Matthew 13:1–8, 18–23, He makes three points of application of this. By observing how seed is sown, and what happens to it, we can learn what to expect when we bring God’s Word to people. Like the seed, the Word has all the life-giving potential, but whether you benefit from it or not depends on the nature of your heart.
Couple this parable with the other, much briefer one, about the soil that produces crop by itself (found in Mark 4:26–29), and you have an even more rounded view of things concerning the Kingdom of God. You may sow the seed, but it is not in your power to make it grow — the soil will do that, apart from your efforts. The effort is needed, but the success is not dependent on you. Likewise in the Kingdom of God, to borrow from a tweak a hymn we love to sing: “we plow the fields, and scatter the good seed of the” Word, “but it is fed and watered by God’s almighty hand.”
Even if you’re not a farmer working a huge field, next time you’re in your garden, planting, tending, reaping, gleaning, remember what God is doing in the world. And in the same way as you take the seed or sapling and place it on the soil, take His Word, give it to people, placing it into their hearts. Water it with your prayers, and entrust it to God to make it grow.
Or next time you take a bite of your sandwich, think of all the work that has gone into making the loaf which gave the bread it is made with; from planting, harvesting, grinding the wheat into flour, baking it, putting it on the shop-shelf — and remember those engaged in proclaiming the Kingdom, in any small or big way, and pray for them. Resolve to support, even join them.
Live in God’s world in such a way that you are reminded of your God all the time. You might find that everyday things around you “come alive” as they remind you of the One Who runs the world you live in.
Calix
Pastor
October 2026
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