PERSISTENT SOWERS
During a particular drought several years ago, much of the seed that had been planted did not come up. The seed that did produced runty plants that promised a scanty yield, if any at all. Grass burned up in the intense heat, and the cattle nearly starved. Many farmers were forced to sell their cattle. Except those who faced bankruptcy or foreclosure, few farmers were giving up. In many cases they could be seen plowing up hopelessly lost crops and planting other seed. They worked in hopes of refreshing rain and an eventual harvest.
If they were so persistent, should sowers of the seed of the Word of God do less?
Yes, many will reject our witness. Others will receive it superficially, only to show their true colors when the going gets rough. Some will truly be saved but will yield little or no harvest as they get caught up in the temporal things of this age. But we must persist, knowing that others will be saved and will give themselves wholeheartedly to the service of the Lord, yielding an abundance of souls led to Christ (Mark 4:1–20)
Source: (Hobbs, H. H. (1990). My favorite illustrations (90–91). Nashville, TN: Broadman Press. From a sermon by Matthew Kratz, First Fruits, 5/27/2011)