Circumstance.

Jeromy phoned from the house we call The Briar Patch. “Well, they sold me the wrong breaker,” he started. Argh. Why does that have to happen? I sent the supply store a photograph of the old one!  The property was between guests, and he had gone to change a breaker that kept tripping the electricity to one bedroom.

“But what I’m concerned about,” Jeromy continued, “is the panel itself. It’s hot. Seems like it’s running into resistance that is generating heat. I think we need an electrician to come check this out. Make sure it’s safe.” I felt a tightening in my chest as a normal, run-of-the-mill maintenance matter seemed to suddenly escalate to a potentially hazardous and expensive project (You can read my post about this from a few weeks ago in the context of confession).

To cut to the chase, the issue resolved itself easily and inexpensively…but it involved a stressful twenty-four hours and some anxious conversations with the electrician and next guest. Most of the worrisome challenges I experience in my life these days are related to our Airbnb properties; there is much more drama to be found in these short-term vacation stays than in my coaching business that is usually pretty peaceful and predictable. But one way or another, circumstances seem to regularly land in our lives that are uncomfortable at best, downright painful at worst. Can you relate?

I was recently reading the familiar parable where a farmer casts seed far and wide and, as you know, the seed lands on four different kinds of soil: the hard path, some shallow, rocky soil, a thorny patch, and finally some good, cultivated soil where the seed grew and flourished. Most of the seed is lost, but the seed that finds root produces an enormous rate of return. Up to 100%, Jesus says.

Jesus goes on to interpret the parable to the disciples: The “seed,” he says, is “the message about the kingdom.” In other words, it’s the kernel that holds the transformational potential to change our current perspectives and mindsets, to actually rewire our hearts and minds so we can perceive a new reality he calls the Kingdom of God. A new belief system? Yes…but much more than that. The Kingdom is a whole new operating system! A totally new dimension with a new way of being in a world that we used to think we knew.

None of that is probably news to you…but here is something that was a completely fresh thought to me this week: What if the seed, the message about the kingdom, isn’t just new truths? What if it includes new experiences? And what if those experiences aren’t necessarily enjoyable…to start with?

The scene in my mind began to change a bit, and I began to imagine Jesus tossing out seeds of circumstance across the landscape of our lives. Big handfuls of situations where the “good” and the “bad” were all mixed up: A fender bender lands alongside a work bonus… A hard drive crash lands alongside an anniversary vacation… One kid gets into a Master’s program while another kid gets downsized and laid off.

Could all of these experiences be seeds of the Kingdom? I think so.

Paul said that he had learned to be content “whatever the circumstances.” In Philippians 4, he continues, “I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.”

How did Paul learn the secret of contentment? There’s only one way I can think of: by having these seeds scattered across his life journey. By receiving the whole gamut of circumstance with confidence in the Farmer’s good intentions—rather than with complaining and resistance—Paul saw each circumstance, consoling or desolating, go into the ground and produce good fruit.

Talk about freedom.

If this is true, it takes us back to the implicit message of the four soils: Which soil are you? Are you trying to pick out all the seeds of bad circumstance—trying to eat them or bake them or strangle them? Or can you accept the random circumstance of loss or suffering, pulling that seed down into the fertile soil of faith, hope, and love where the divine alchemy transforms painful kernels into good fruit? Fruit that actually feeds your soul as well as the souls of others.

As I pondered the “fruit” of a faulty breaker and an anxious guest, I began to feed upon its richness. I began to write down a declaration for Kellie and me to hold as a commitment over this year: We will not be slaves to fear when it comes to our properties! We will do our best to prevent problems…and to respond with as much grace and confidence as we can muster when problems inevitably arise. But, God helping us, we will not be held hostage by the fear of a disgruntled guest or by our own anxious insecurities.

Truly, every kind of circumstantial seed can produce good fruit if we receive it in the soil of trust and obedience. Can we go there together? Can we work to carve out that orientation in our souls? I think it just might change everything.

ThriveTip

What circumstantial seeds are falling in your life right now? Which would you call “good” and which would you call “bad”? Can you imagine God transforming all those seeds into good fruit to feed your soul? Journal your thoughts and prayers on this…and finish with the Welcome Prayer.

Takeaway

In the soil of trust, all seed bears good fruit.