Here’s why you should keep sowing seed, even with mixed results

By Dean Collins

Individual results may vary. We hear the words added quickly at the end of a radio commercial. They are in the small print in publications and often stated or posted in TV commercials. We’ve heard the phrase so often we don’t pay attention anymore. All of us have taken or bought a product or service with some disclaimer. It seems everything sold or offered comes with mixed results.

Spring training for baseball is starting, and I can predict what the results will be for baseball this year. They will be mixed. Every team will win some and lose some. Batters will have a combined batting average of about 250, and pitchers will end up with a 4-5 ERA. Mixed results are coming, but we will buy tickets and watch the games anyway.

For the last eight years I have written 261 devotions each year. I have mixed results with my writing and my readership. If I had to give myself a grade I would say maybe C+ or B-, meaning that the quality of what I write varies. Readers tell me, “Thank you for writing. I don’t know how you keep this up. I don’t read all of them. But today the message was exactly what I needed to hear.” So generally I have mixed results—except when I don’t. In that moment, 100 percent of someone’s need is met. The sower’s seed fell on fertile soil and produced encouragement, gave hope, brought peace, and bore fruit.

Jesus promised mixed results

Jesus said there would be mixed results. Some seed never takes root. Some seed is stolen. Some trampled. Some choked out. Some grows and bears fruit. Jesus not only said it would happen, he watched it happen with his own eyes. But he told his disciples to sow, to share, to work, to pray, to wait, and to watch.

Paul had mixed results with his ministry. The book of Acts records numerous examples of some believing and some rejecting. If we took the time, I suspect we could create a chart of Paul’s mixed results lining up with what Jesus said about seeds sown.

Worth the effort?

So, with the guarantee of mixed results, is it worth the effort to sow them? Did Jesus waste his time walking the shores of the Sea of Galilee teaching about the Kingdom of God? Are we wasting our time when we sow gospel seed through our words and deeds? No way!

Here’s the truth. God will deliver 100 percent of the time when we surrender our hearts and minds to him. He is the one who keeps promises and meets needs consistently. He is the one who is fully reliable. There are millions of testimonies through the centuries of people who have experienced and would testify to the faithfulness of God.

Scripture is full of evidence that God delivers on his promises. Our response to him is inconsistent, but his response to us is constant. David summarized God’s consistency this way: “None of those who take refuge in him will be condemned.” None of them. Jesus made the way possible that all who call upon his name will be saved.

I think I will keep sowing seed. I encourage you to do the same. When the seed grows and a life is changed it is worth it all for someone.

Your time with God’s Word
Matthew‬ ‭13:15-23; Acts‬ ‭19:8-10; Psalm‬ ‭34:22‬ ‭‬ ‭‬ESV‬‬

Photo by Joshua Lanzarini on Unsplash

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