Never Underestimate the Power of a Seed

P.O Box 1540, Albany Western Australia 6331
Phone: (08) 98 418 418
E-mail: abl-alb@omninet.net.au

Never Underestimate the Power of a Seed
Friend, would you like to see a miracle? Well, let me suggest that you try this. Just take a seed the size of a freckle. Bury it under several centimetres of dirt-give it enough water, light and fertilizer-then get ready because a mountain will be moved. It doesn't matter that the ground is a zillion times the weight of a seed because the seed will push it back. As you stop to reflect on the miracle of a seed germinating, it might also be good to remind yourself that every spring, dreamers all around the world plant tiny hopes in overturned soil. As far as I know, James, the epistle writer in the New Testament, wasn't a farmer. However, he knew the power of a seed sown in fertile soil. That's why he could write that: *"Those who are peacemakers will plant seeds of peace and reap a harvest of goodness."* (James 3:18) In a sense, what James is saying, is that the principle for peace is the same as the principle for crops. So let none of us underestimate the power of a seed. The story of Heinz is a good example. Let me take your mind back to 1934 Europe. This was the time when Hitler's plague of anti-Semitism was infecting a continent. Some would escape it while others would die from it. But eleven-year-old Heinz would learn from it. He would learn the power of sowing seeds of peace and it's important to know that Heinz was a Jew. The Bavarian village of Furth, where Heinz lived, was being overrun by Hitler's young thugs. Heinz's father, who was a school teacher, lost his job. Recreational activities ceased and tensions mounted on the streets. The Jewish families clutched at the traditions which held them together-these were the observances of the Sabbath, Rosh Hashanah, and Yom Kippur. And, as the clouds of persecution swelled and blackened, these old ways took on new significance. Indeed, these ancient precepts were a precious cleft in a mighty rock. And as the streets became a battleground, such security meant survival. Hitler's youth were constantly roaming the neighbourhoods looking for trouble. Through all of this, young Heinz learned to keep his eyes open and when he saw a band of troublemakers, he would step to the other side of the street. Sometimes he would escape a fight-sometimes not. One day, in 1934, a pivotal confrontation occurred. Heinz found himself face-to-face with one of Hitler's bullies. A beating seemed inevitable. This time, however, he walked away unhurt-not because of what he did, but because of what he said. He didn't fight back; he spoke up and convinced the troublemakers that a fight was not necessary. It was the power of his words that kept the battle at bay. The result of this confrontation enabled Heinz to see firsthand how the tongue can create peace. And from this, he learned the skill of using words to avoid conflict. And for a Jew in Hitler-ridden Europe, that skill had many opportunities to be honed. Fortunately, Heinz's family escaped from Bavaria and made their way to America. Later in life, he would play down the impact those adolescent experiences had on his development. But one has to wonder about that because after Heinz grew up, his name became synonymous with peace negotiations and his legacy became that of a bridge builder. Somewhere he had learned the power of the properly placed words of peace. Naturally, one has to wonder if his training didn't come on the streets of Bavaria. You may not know this man as Heinz, but many people know him by his Anglicized name, Henry Kissinger. So never underestimate the power of a seed! Perhaps in the light of what I've just shared with you about the life of Heinz, I should ask you a question: How good are you at sowing seeds of peace? Now, you may not be called on to ward off international conflict, but you will have opportunities to do something more vital; and that is, to bring inner peace to troubled hearts. Jesus set the standard for us in regard to this. We don't see Him settling many disputes or negotiating conflicts, but we do see Him cultivating inward harmony through acts of love. He built bridges by healing hurts. He prevented conflict by touching the interior and He cultivated harmony by sowing seeds of peace in fertile hearts. So friends, if you want to see a miracle today? I suggest you plant a word of love deep in the heart of a person's life. Nurture it with a smile and a prayer, and watch what happens. I guarantee you will be more than pleasantly surprised! Never underestimate the power of a seed! I look forward to sharing more thoughts with you.However, if I can help you in your faith journey, please don't hesitate to contact me at: P.O. Box 1540, Albany WA 6331. If you prefer, you can Telephone me on (08) 98 418 418. Email:abl-alb@omninet.net.au We have a duty to encourage one another. Many a time a word of praise or thanks or appreciation has kept a man on his feet. Blessed is the man. William Barclay

Friend, would you like to see a miracle? Well, let me suggest that you try this. Just take a seed the size of a freckle. Bury it under several centimetres of dirt-give it enough water, light and fertilizer-then get ready because a mountain will be moved. It doesn't matter that the ground is a zillion times the weight of a seed because the seed will push it back.

As you stop to reflect on the miracle of a seed germinating, it might also be good to remind yourself that every spring, dreamers all around the world plant tiny hopes in overturned soil.

As far as I know, James, the epistle writer in the New Testament, wasn't a farmer. However, he knew the power of a seed sown in fertile soil. That's why he could write that: "Those who are peacemakers will plant seeds of peace and reap a harvest of goodness." (James 3:18) In a sense, what James is saying, is that the principle for peace is the same as the principle for crops. So let none of us underestimate the power of a seed.

The story of Heinz is a good example. Let me take your mind back to 1934 Europe. This was the time when Hitler's plague of anti-Semitism was infecting a continent. Some would escape it while others would die from it. But eleven-year-old Heinz would learn from it. He would learn the power of sowing seeds of peace and it's important to know that Heinz was a Jew.

The Bavarian village of Furth, where Heinz lived, was being overrun by Hitler's young thugs. Heinz's father, who was a school teacher, lost his job. Recreational activities ceased and tensions mounted on the streets. The Jewish families clutched at the traditions which held them together-these were the observances of the Sabbath, Rosh Hashanah, and Yom Kippur. And, as the clouds of persecution swelled and blackened, these old ways took on new significance. Indeed, these ancient precepts were a precious cleft in a mighty rock. And as the streets became a battleground, such security meant survival.

Hitler's youth were constantly roaming the neighbourhoods looking for trouble. Through all of this, young Heinz learned to keep his eyes open and when he saw a band of troublemakers, he would step to the other side of the street. Sometimes he would escape a fight-sometimes not.

One day, in 1934, a pivotal confrontation occurred. Heinz found himself face-to-face with one of Hitler's bullies. A beating seemed inevitable. This time, however, he walked away unhurt-not because of what he did, but because of what he said. He didn't fight back; he spoke up and convinced the troublemakers that a fight was not necessary. It was the power of his words that kept the battle at bay.

The result of this confrontation enabled Heinz to see firsthand how the tongue can create peace. And from this, he learned the skill of using words to avoid conflict. And for a Jew in Hitler-ridden Europe, that skill had many opportunities to be honed.

Fortunately, Heinz's family escaped from Bavaria and made their way to America. Later in life, he would play down the impact those adolescent experiences had on his development.

But one has to wonder about that because after Heinz grew up, his name became synonymous with peace negotiations and his legacy became that of a bridge builder. Somewhere he had learned the power of the properly placed words of peace. Naturally, one has to wonder if his training didn't come on the streets of Bavaria. You may not know this man as Heinz, but many people know him by his Anglicized name, Henry Kissinger. So never underestimate the power of a seed!

Perhaps in the light of what I've just shared with you about the life of Heinz, I should ask you a question: How good are you at sowing seeds of peace? Now, you may not be called on to ward off international conflict, but you will have opportunities to do something more vital; and that is, to bring inner peace to troubled hearts. Jesus set the standard for us in regard to this.

We don't see Him settling many disputes or negotiating conflicts, but we do see Him cultivating inward harmony through acts of love. He built bridges by healing hurts. He prevented conflict by touching the interior and He cultivated harmony by sowing seeds of peace in fertile hearts.

So friends, if you want to see a miracle today? I suggest you plant a word of love deep in the heart of a person's life. Nurture it with a smile and a prayer, and watch what happens. I guarantee you will be more than pleasantly surprised! Never underestimate the power of a seed!

I look forward to sharing more thoughts with you.However, if I can help you in your faith journey, please don't hesitate to contact me at: P.O. Box 1540, Albany WA 6331. If you prefer, you can Telephone me on (08) 98 418 418. Email:abl-alb@omninet.net.au

We have a duty to encourage one another.
Many a time a word of praise or thanks or
appreciation has kept a man on his feet.
Blessed is the man.
William Barclay