Rachel Fisher, Children’s Ministries Communications Specialist

Mark 4:1-8
Again he began to teach beside the sea. Such a very large crowd gathered around him that he got into a boat on the sea and sat there, while the whole crowd was beside the sea on the land. 2 He began to teach them many things in parables, and in his teaching he said to them: 3 “Listen! A sower went out to sow. 4 And as he sowed, some seed fell on the path, and the birds came and ate it up. 5 Other seed fell on rocky ground, where it did not have much soil, and it sprang up quickly, since it had no depth of soil. 6 And when the sun rose, it was scorched; and since it had no root, it withered away. 7 Other seed fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked it, and it yielded no grain. 8 Other seed fell into good soil and brought forth grain, growing up and increasing and yielding thirty and sixty and a hundredfold.”

Reflection:
I, like so many other binge-watchers, am obsessed with the television series, Ted Lasso. Following an American football coach from Kansas who is hired by an English soccer team, Ted shakes things up in the harsh, cutthroat world of professional sports…but not in the way initially predicted. The character of Ted Lasso is hilariously entertaining with his witty euphemisms, yet what has made him shine among other protagonists is his unwavering optimism. Slapping a sign that says “Believe” atop the locker room door on Day One, we soon discover Ted’s success is not defined by the positive outcome of a score, but rather, it is the love of this new community wherein he places his faith. We, as the audience, are invited to marvel each week at the striking transformation that unfolds as people in Ted’s life are shown they matter to him.

Now, I promise this is not just one, big advertisement for Ted Lasso (streaming now on Apple TV *wink*). Whether in fiction or actuality, we all know someone who is a “Believer.” Perhaps they were, in fact, a coach, or maybe a teacher, a mentor, a parent… Regardless, I hope we each are able to reflect upon and give gratitude toward a leader that radically changed the trajectory of our destinies through their pure, unflinching encouragement.

The question is, are you that person?

Jesus’ parable of “The Sower” reflects a mindset similar to the creed of Ted Lasso. Regularly retold, this story forces us to release our false perception of control over the souls of others; instead, our job is to unceasingly spread goodness, and God will take care of the rest.

I have always taken great comfort in this lesson because I feel it calls us to simply be ourselves. By pursuing our peers and wearing our Christianity on our sleeves, we invite those around us to experience a relationship with God firsthand. From there, we must pray that the Holy Spirit speaks to them, yet we do not have a say in the matter.

This way of thinking is only partially true, however.

Too often, I fancy myself a dedicated, obedient farmer, scattering crop seeds wherever I go and blessing those in my field with the abundant grace of Jesus Christ.

Friends, this self-glorifying narrative is much more of a fantasy than even Ted Lasso.

The truth is, I can be short-tempered, cold, and selfish. I impatiently cut other cars off in traffic, lazily pretend I do not hear my phone ringing and snap back with curt comebacks when easily offended. Despite wholeheartedly trusting that my savior forgives me time and time again, I still continue to hold grudges and harbor hatred.

Yes, sometimes we are the planter, but oftentimes we are the weeds. We are the birds that snatch away opportunity, the rocks that stifle joy, the thorns that choke out hope. It is easy for us to look at others and recognize their flaws, but we are living in a false reality if we fail to recognize how many problems our sins cause.

Thankfully, the impossible burden of being a perfect sower is not the deciding factor of our fate. In spite of the damage, we do when we are not channeling Christ…or, at the very least, Ted Lasso…Jesus inspires us to keep sharing his love without demand or restraint.

Prayer:
Awesome God, thank you for your unyielding and almighty power to change hearts. Guide me to a place of goodness and holiness, inviting others to join your kingdom and celebrating their triumphant introduction into your loving family. Stop me when I create barriers, both for others and within my own life. You are the best, Lord. Amen.