And he said, "The kingdom of God is as if a man should scatter seed on the ground. He sleeps and rises night and day, and the seed sprouts and grows; he knows not how.” (Mark 4:26-27)

There is no formula to create a transformed life. The precision of God’s surgery is as dynamic as the wind. As I lift my sail, He fills it. Invisibly but unmistakably.

Just yesterday I read a story about a young person who had been profoundly and categorically impacted by the reality of God’s love and grace. Everything that this individual believed about God, their community, and yes, what they believed about themselves, changed. But the change happened mysteriously; miraculously.

God, and God alone, is capable of this kind of transformation. Seeds sown remain unmoved unless and until God breaks through.

I scatter seed. Intentionally and unintentionally. By what I say, and what I leave unsaid. Every day.

A quick conversation with the clerk at Safeway, or a focused discussion with a friend at Starbucks. An email and an errand. My allies and my enemies.

“…he knows not how.” It’s not mine to figure out. In obedience I reach deeply into my pouch of seeds…and I scatter. And when the seed sprouts and grows I sing praises to the King… because, while I was sleeping, He was working.

Mystery of all mysteries… “he knows not how.”