You Make a Difference: Terrific TeachersSample

Planting Seeds

Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. GALATIANS 6:9 NIV

Herod the Great is best known as the paranoid, maniacal king responsible for the slaughter of the innocents, as recorded in the second chapter of the gospel of Matthew. Herod was also a master builder, responsible for some of the Middle East's most extravagant and groundbreaking architecture. His ego forever drove him to innovate, especially when the surrounding landscape was resistant to his vision. One of his most ambitious projects was Masada, a desert fortress that offered him all the luxury of a palace.

In the 1960s, archaeologist Yigael Yadin began extensive excavations of the ruins of Masada. In addition to unearthing beautiful mosaics and soaring architecture, Yadin found thousands of date palm seeds that dated back to the time of Christ. The seeds were collected and cataloged with other artifacts, then stored for another forty years.

Decades after the seeds were first discovered, Dr. Elaine Solowey, head of the Center for Sustainable Agriculture at the Arava Institute in Israel, had an idea. Perhaps one of those long-dead, centuries-old seeds still had the power to germinate. Dr. Solowey petitioned for a few seeds for her experiment and was granted her petition. Once they arrived, she planted them. One day, she went out to check on the plantings and was astonished to find that the soil was cracking. Something was sprouting.

Today, that seedling is a twelve-foot date palm named “Methuselah.” Encouraged by her progress, Dr. Solowey asked for and received six more ancient date palm seeds. In September 2020, one of those, named “Hannah,” miraculously bore fruit. Teaching is much like planting seeds. Sometimes the seeds we plant are like grass, popping up with new life almost as soon as they are sown. Other times, our students leave our care without showing any new signs of life. In those moments, it is easy to be discouraged and wonder whether we are making any difference at all. The key is remembering that, much like the ancient date palm seeds found underneath the sand and stone of Masada, it isn’t always possible to see what possibility is hidden within a child.

Thankfully, we are not responsible for the growing; we’re only in charge of the planting. It is God’s job to breathe new life over the seeds we plant, and we can trust Him with the outcome. He will be faithful to do His part. So, go plant those seeds today. You never know what sweet fruit might someday come from your efforts.

Life Giver, You once told Your disciples that unless a seed dies and falls to the ground, it cannot produce new life (John 12:24). I know this is true, but sometimes it is difficult to trust that new life is on the way when I have waited so long for it. Help me to remember that children grow according to their own timetables. I release to You today the results of my work, recognizing that although it is my job to plant the seed, it is Your job to make it grow. Amen.