Scattering Books Like Seeds

In my mind, a publisher distributing books is like a farmer broadcasting seeds. We send them out in every direction, hoping they fall on ready, prepared soil that can and will receive the message and take it to heart.

In wintry times, seeds lie dormant in the ground waiting, sealed. When days grow longer and warmer, the seeds  awaken, sprout and eventually produce leaves and fruit.

Same with books. You may buy a book or be given one, but the season of your life isn’t right yet. The book sits on a shelf, or under a pile of other volumes—or a list of Kindle files—you plan to read sometime. Then one day you pick it up, or click it open, and start reading; and you marvel that these words are exactly what you need at this time.

Casting/sowing seeds or books takes faith and a long vision. A Christian publisher must believe that these books, which contain kernels of life-giving truth, will be carried by the Wind of the Holy Spirit. And when prepared personal soil opens to these seeds, we pray that their message will be watered by the Living Water. The resulting fruit will be minds and hearts growing and encouraged to flourish in hopeful wholeness, spiritual insights, and joyful service.

So I choose the mindset of an under-gardener. My Father is the Gardener. By his grace I purpose to work with God in digging, planting, and harvesting. The resulting fruit may never be fully seen or measured. But I will seek to cultivate wheat, not chaff, and do it with love. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I must lick my finger and hold it to the wind.