Jesus told this parable about the Kingdom of God: “A man scatters seed on the ground. Night and day, whether he sleeps or gets up, the seed sprouts and grows, though he does not know how. All by itself the soil produces grain…” (Mark 4:26-28)
I finally got a Facebook account, and it has been great fun to reconnect with students I have not seen for over 20 years. When I was at Newark Christian School (NCS), I always believed that teaching songs about God was one of the most effective ways to sow the truth of His word deep into a child’s heart. As I recently read these Facebook posts from former students, God has amazed me in a new way:
“Calling all my World Impact (NCS) staff and alumni. I woke up this morning sharing a memory with my little one and I'd like to see who else remembers this song: 'I will not go back when I've come all this way. Cause I know what the Lord will do no matter what you say, and I know I can stand when I hear his command. Nothing's gonna stop me now from walking with Him today!'”
“Wow, memories!!! Till this day, I still sing, ‘Trust the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding, in all your ways acknowledge him…’”
“I gotta say the staff was the best when it came to songs and skits. I still remember songs from at least 30 years ago!”
In life and in ministry, it seems that we sow and sow and sow, often wondering if anything is taking root. Yet these words were a great encouragement, that the seed is growing, though we may not see it and do not know how it is working out. These students and many others remember these songs about God, and are even teaching them to their children.
Many of our prayer partners prayed for these students 20 or 30 years ago when they were in class, and those prayers are sowing seed for the Kingdom. That is we are committed to raising up and participating in the prayer movement in Newark – because we believe that God is at work, answering our prayers. We believe that, even when we do not yet see the fruit, He is growing His Kingdom.
