Who causes the growing?

Mark 4:26-29

Interesting parable for us to think through. As a highly paid religious professional, I find that I often put a lot of pressure on myself to 'produce'. If kids aren't growing, if they aren't showing signs that they are getting it, if they are not coming to church stuff, I start to think I'm not doing my job. In fact, some parents may start to think that as well...

I suppose this is a peril of working in the church; as a guy who loves Jesus and loves the church, I think it is my job to make sure that the growth of the seed (the Word of God) grows up in the hearts of those I encounter. This parable makes clear something that deep down I know, but fail to acknowledge -- that God causes the growth to happen, not me. My job is sow far and wide, do all I can to make the environment ready for that seed to grow, and to trust God to take it and make it grow into something fruitful. It is the same in our own homes, too -- we must do all we can, but ultimately, we've gotta trust God to do the heavy lifting.