Broadcasting The Word

The modern term of broadcasting, as in radio or television programs, comes from an ancient method of planting. The Parable of the Sower that Jesus gives is an example of broadcast sowing. The Sower throws (casts) out handfuls of seeds over a wide (broad) area. Hence, broadcasting. The sower isn’t worried that each and every seed falls in the perfect soil. He has a lot of ground to cover, and a lot of seeds to sow. If some of them end up falling by the wayside, or among stones or thorns, that is OK. After all, some of the seeds that fall upon good ground may produce thirty, sixty, or a hundred fold. When we are sharing our testimonies, or being an example unto the believers, or showing our love for our neighbors through acts of service, or in any other way imparting through our words or our actions the Word of God and the light of the gospel, we ought to be like the broadcast sower. We ought to cast our testimony as far and as wide and as often as we can. Yes, a lot of our seeds will fall by the wayside and be eaten by birds. A lot of our acts of service will be unwanted, unnoticed, or unappreciated. A lot of our invitations will be politely declined or just plain left on read. Some may accompany us to some activity but then want us to leave them alone. Some may really receive the word with gladness, but then find it too difficult to make the changes necessary to go all in on the gospel. But some of our words will change people’s hearts forever. Some of our selfless acts of service will make all the difference to someone who thought that no one noticed or cared if they existed. Some of our seeds will fall on good ground and bring forth a hundredfold. Our testimony is a precious thing, but we are not to keep our seeds safely locked up in our house, just like we’re not supposed to hide our candlestick under a bushel. We should never let our fears or insecurities and our desire for the exact perfect moment to share our testimony to stop us from casting out handfuls and handfuls of seeds. Not all of the seeds are going to sprout, but a lot more of them will if we have the courage to chuck them out by the handful instead of wandering around with our sack closed tight until we find the perfect patch of ground. There will always seem to be a better time and place but the truth is that the best time and place to share our testimony is right now exactly wherever we are.