7 day plan

7 Days, 7 Scriptures: How the Bible Shaped My Story

Day 1 of 7

NIV

Matthew 13:3-8

Then he told them many things in parables, saying: “A farmer went out to sow his seed. As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up. Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly because the soil was shallow. But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no roots. Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants. Still other seed fell on good soil, where it produced a crop—a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown.” Matthew 13:3-8 NIV

Series Introduction

“The Bible has always been a compass, guiding me through life’s twists and turns,” reflects Hrayr, General Secretary of the Bible Society of the Gulf. “But certain verses have held a special power, becoming anchors in moments of joy, doubt, and everything in between. Over the next seven days, I’ll be sharing these cherished scriptures, diving deep into how they’ve shaped my story and transformed my perspective. Join me on this journey of reflection as we explore the power of the written word to inspire, comfort, and ultimately, change our lives.”

Reflection: Planting Hope: How the Parable of the Sower Transformed My Ministry

My path wasn’t what I envisioned. Armed with a degree in agricultural economics, I was set to till a different kind of soil. But Matthew 13:3-8, the parable of the Sower, became my turning point. The seed, the Word of God, resonated with a power I couldn’t ignore.

The parable ignited a yearning within me to be a Sower, to plant seeds of faith in the fertile ground of receptive hearts. I embarked on a journey across the Arabian Gulf countries — in Bahrain, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, United Arab Emirates, and Yemen, sowing the seeds of God’s Word among migrant workers who hail from around 174 countries.

There were those whose hearts were hardened paths, the message bouncing off without finding root. Others, like the rocky places, embraced the message quickly, only to be scorched by life’s challenges. And some, entangled with worldly concerns, had fertile ground choked by thorns. Yet, the parable ends with a promise — seeds falling on good soil, yielding a bountiful harvest. Even a single life transformed is a testament to the parable’s truth — the transformative power of the Word to mend, inspire, and empower. This became my unwavering hope.

Though challenges remain, the parable reminds me that I plant, God cultivates.

Prayer:

Almighty God, grant us the unwavering spirit of the Sower. Guide our words to find fertile ground and nourish the seeds we plant with your everlasting grace. May it find fertile ground in willing hearts, transforming lives. May the harvest be plentiful, a testament to your love that transcends borders and languages. Amen.

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