Self Denial reflection 4: Knowing I am known
Self Denial reflection 4: Knowing I am known
16 March 2022
This year’s Self Denial Appeal theme, ‘The Ripple Effect’, reminds us that small actions taken in Christ’s name can become big, life-transforming outcomes for the Kingdom of God.
The Self Denial Appeal started in 1886 when General William Booth called Salvationists to give sacrificially and to deny themselves so that they could offer God’s love to a hurting world.
In this quiet moment, still, before your throne,
Conscious of your presence, knowing I am known.
In this quiet moment, set my spirit free.
In this quiet moment, make a better me!
-John Gowans
This week meditate on this phrase - ‘Knowing I am known’.
Matthew 13:3-9 and 18-23
3 “Listen! A farmer went out to plant some seeds. 4 As he scattered them across his field, some seeds fell on a footpath, and the birds came and ate them. 5 Other seeds fell on shallow soil with underlying rock. The seeds sprouted quickly because the soil was shallow. 6 But the plants soon wilted under the hot sun, and since they didn’t have deep roots, they died. 7 Other seeds fell among thorns that grew up and choked out the tender plants. 8 Still other seeds fell on fertile soil, and they produced a crop that was thirty, sixty, and even a hundred times as much as had been planted! 9 Anyone with ears to hear should listen and understand.”
18 “Now listen to the explanation of the parable about the farmer planting seeds. 19 The seed that fell on the footpath represents those who hear the message about the Kingdom and don’t understand it. Then the evil one comes and snatches away the seed that was planted in their hearts. 20 The seed on the rocky soil represents those who hear the message and immediately receive it with joy. 21 But since they don’t have deep roots, they don’t last long. They fall away as soon as they have problems or are persecuted for believing God’s word. 22 The seed that fell among the thorns represents those who hear God’s word, but all too quickly the message is crowded out by the worries of this life and the lure of wealth, so no fruit is produced. 23 The seed that fell on good soil represents those who truly hear and understand God’s word and produce a harvest of thirty, sixty or even a hundred times as much as had been planted.”
Reflection
Two aspects of this parable told by Jesus are relevant to our reflection on the ripple effect of the gospel through the ages and now.
The first is the method of sowing. Some Palestinian farmers ploughed their fields first and then sowed the seed in the furrows. Others thought it was best practice to sow the seed first and then plough it in. This required the farmer to spread the seed as widely as he could, otherwise it would not produce a good crop.
It is this second method that Jesus had in mind in the parable. He wants his disciples to spread the message of the Kingdom of God as widely as possible and trust God to bring forth a wonderful harvest.
From the time the Spirit called it into being, The Salvation Army has followed the vision to expand its mission throughout the world so that the Word of God is preached, and the love of God is demonstrated in many diverse cultures. General Evangeline Booth’s stirring song was a rallying cry for generations of Salvationists.
The world for God! The world for God!
I give my heart! I’ll do my part!
The world for God! The world for God!
I give my heart! I will do my part!
(The Salvation Army Songbook No. 933)
All the exclamation marks convey her passion for the vision.
For many years the old Territorial Headquarters in Sydney had the words, ‘CHRIST FOR THE WORLD, THE WORLD FOR CHRIST’, emblazoned on its external wall which was clearly visible in Elizabeth Street. The 2021 Year Book records that the Army now serves in 131 countries of the world. It has faithfully spread the Gospel widely not knowing the condition of the hearers’ hearts while trusting in God for a spiritual harvest.
The second arresting feature of the parable is the remarkable yield of the fertile soil where the seeds are deeply rooted in the good earth. The average Palestinian harvest produced around 10 times the seed sown. Harvests producing 30 to 100 times the seed invested are extraordinarily abundant.
In faith, the Army is still spreading the Gospel into wider fields. In 2021 two officer couples were appointed to commence the Army’s mission in Bulgaria, in the Eastern Europe Territory.
I recently heard this inspiring story from Georgia, also in the Eastern Europe Territory.
A young man who was a member of a notorious criminal gang in Tblisi was shown an act of kindness by a Salvationist. Soon after, he was arrested and imprisoned for a few years. On release, he sought out the young woman who had helped him and, through her witness, gave his heart to the Lord and was enrolled as a soldier.
They married and entered the Eastern European Training College. He expressed to the training principal his deep embarrassment that his arms were covered in tattoos, which indicated his previous membership of the gang. She made a few suggestions, including the possibility that the tattoos could be covered with something else. Soon after, he returned with new tattoos of The Salvation Army red shield, completely covering any trace of the old life.
He now serves with his wife as a corps officer in Georgia. He also has the additional mission opportunity of running a series of youth camps throughout Georgia. He has a wonderful rapport with young people. The ripple effect continues!
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