PrintSometime in the early hours of the morning recently while I was still in that state of not being properly awake but not being asleep either, this thought seemed to lodge in my mind: "The parable of the farmer scattering seed has more to offer than you realize. Think about 'The Seasons Of The Soul' when next you read it".
Later that morning when I was properly awake I read again (for the umpteenth time!) the parable that Jesus told which we usually call the "parable of the sower". However this time I tried to read it as teaching about "the seasons of the soul". This gave me a whole new understanding and dimension as to what Jesus was teaching.
For virtually all of my Christian life I have been taught (and have taught others) that the meaning and application of this parable has to do with the condition of the human heart when the seed (the Word of God) is preached in an evangelistic setting. The various responses outlined in the parable are to be found in the hearts of those gathered in the Church or Crusade setting. I'm sure that this is a primary and legitimate understanding and application of this parable. However, is there something else here that is equally valid and a helpful interpretation of the text? I think there is.
What if Jesus was teaching about the fluctuating responses of an individual over the period of their lifetime? Why limit the impact of the parable to one group at one time? Could it be that what we are encountering here is a parable that speaks about the seasons of the soul?
What do I mean by that expression? Sometimes in our Christian walk there can develop a hardness of heart that lasts for a season. i.e. a period of time where the Word of God cannot penetrate because, for whatever reason, ours hearts become hardened (Hebrews 3/7-19). It occurs to me that, at other times, our response may be described as shallow and therefore unproductive.
Then (thankfully) there are times or seasons when our hearts are very responsive and the Word of God produces a harvest that is above and beyond what is natural and normal.
So what makes me think that this approach to "the parable of parables" is legitimate? The answer has to be, "because I am very conscious of the changing seasons in my own life experience". My heart response has never been static over the years I have been a disciple of Jesus Christ.
My early morning "revelation" stirs within me a desire to explore this understanding of the parable and to journal what emerges from this exploration. I anticipate being challenged and changed by digging into the soil of my own heart. Perhaps others who may read these journal entries will be also challenged.
