Daily Devotion

Bill Lucke

The devotion for today is written by Bill Lucke

Matthew 13 Jesus said, “A sower went out to sow, and as he sowed some seeds fell on the path and the birds ate them up. Other seeds fell on rocky ground…they withered away.  Other seeds fell among thorns which choked them.  Other seeds fell on good soil and brought forth grain….”

Pastor Alice finds some aspects of her ministry frustrating—primarily, the migratory nature of her congregation. She spends a few years with her flock and then they wander off, hopefully to lead lives reflecting the blessings of briefly being a part of the Edge House. Alice has scattered her seeds, but is often uncertain of the quality of the soil that they fell upon.

Each of us are unconsciously scattering seeds of witness every day. What we do and say and how we act as Christians is being noted and may influence someone we do not know exists.

Case in point: Dwier Brown was a struggling actor whose career consisted mostly of roles on Star Trek where he wore a red shirt. He made a deal with God—IF he got a role in a meaningful film, THEN he would use that opportunity to help others. He did get a role in a movie that consisted of five minutes of screen time, most of it tossing a baseball back and forth with Kevin Costner.

Some people may make a deal with God and when the IF part happens, walk away from the THEN part. That was not an option for Dwier. For 30 years, he has been approached by strangers on sidewalks, airplanes, super markets, baseball parks and fish ponds. He has heard stories of mended relationships or missed opportunities to mend relationships. There have been handshakes, hugs, and tears. He describes himself as a traveling priest hearing confessions.

Some of us may never get that kind of feedback, but never doubt that we do something every day that has the same potential to touch the life of someone.

My wife Sylvia had a favorite poem by Robert Louis Stevenson that summarizes my thoughts:

Dark brown is the river.  
  Golden is the sand.  
It flows along forever,  
  With trees on either hand.  
Green leaves a-floating,
  Castles of the foam,  
Boats of mine a-boating—  
  Where will all come home?  
On goes the river  
  And out past the mill,  
Away down the valley,  
  Away down the hill.  
Away down the river,  
  A hundred miles or more,  
Other little children  
  Shall bring my boats ashore.