Daily Devotion

“Missionary work in this land requires a kind of 'long-distance faith'. You may sow seeds for ten years and not see a single flower bloom, but faith tells us that the seeds of truth pulsate in the dark soil, and their power to grow cannot be suppressed forever by any ancient tradition.”

Arthur Henderson Smith · China in Turmoil

Scripture

Mark 4:26-27 also says: “The kingdom of God is like a man who sows seed on the ground. He sleeps at night and rises in the day, and the seed sprouts and grows, but the man does not know how it works.”

Reflection

Arthur H. Smith saw the "rhythm" of truth amidst turmoil, reminding us that the effectiveness of faith often lies not in immediate success, but in taking root in hidden places. Many times, we are like anxious farmers, eager to force growth, forgetting that the sovereignty of life lies in God's hands. Just as seeds sprout silently in the darkness, God's work often takes place in the unseen ordinary moments of waiting. Do not doubt the value of sowing because of the desolation before your eyes; ancient traditions or fortified fortresses cannot stop the penetrating power of life. What we need to do is to have that patience for an "extra-long distance," to continuously watch over the dark soil, and to trust in that unknown yet truly existing force of growth.