Go Forth To Sow

Go Forth to Sow

He told many stories in the form of parables, such as this one: “Listen! A farmer went out to plant some seeds.”

Matthew 13:3

A connection with nature is a natural part of the Amish church service:

Since the Amish have bi-weekly worship services, their liturgical calendar . . . is divided into twenty-six parts that reflect both religious holidays and agricultural seasons. . . . While many of their scripture readings and studies are connected with holy days, quite a few are associated with the agricultural seasons. Sometime in April, when the farmers are sowing clovers and oats, Matthew 13 and John 15 (Aemann Schriften) are read: “[A] sower went forth to sow.”

The Amish Ausband dates back to the 1500s, and its hymns are related to the times and seasons of year as well:

While most of these songs tell stories of Anabaptist ancestors imprisoned for their faith in Europe in the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries (particularly in a prison in Passau, Germany), there are some that express an appreciation and knowledge of nature. For example, the Sunday the Aemann Schriften are read, hymn 47 is sung. In this beautiful song several stanzas are about the European skylark, which sings his wonderful courtship song as the farmers sow their seeds in early spring. . . .

The lark wings through the clouds,

With sweet voice and melody.

Jesus also used many natural elements in His parables. And He wasn’t teaching in an air-conditioned sanctuary with stained-glass windows. Jesus proclaimed truth to the crowds gathered on the hills or along the seashore.

Consider taking God’s Word out into the elements. How does reading your Bible in a grassy field or on a park bench change the way you take in the words? How does the beauty of spring connect God’s Word to your heart?

Dear heavenly Father, thank You for the gift of nature that speaks Your truth in unexpected ways. Open my eyes to see Your messages of the season.