Many of us desire for our songs to make an impact for the kingdom of God. Even those of us writing what some consider to be secular music. But sometimes it’s overwhelming knowing how we should do it, or even where to start. I believe sharing with others about the kingdom and making a life changing difference was modeled for us by Jesus in Mark 4, the familiar “Story of the Scattered Seed.”

Here’s what caught my eye, Mark 4:2, “He taught by using stories, many stories.”
We can do that! We can tell stories in our songs! But even more amazing is why He says he used stories. Mark 4:11-12 says, “You’ve been given insight into God’s kingdom—you know how it works. But to those who can’t see it yet, everything comes in stories, creating readiness, nudging them toward receptive insight.” WOW! Those are the kind of songs I want to write. Songs that tell truth for those who have insight, and stories for those who don’t, but in all things giving HIM glory.

If we look at verses 13-20 from Mark 4, and replace some of the words “kingdom” and “word” with “song,” here’s how it would read:

He continued, “Do you see how this story works? All my stories work this way. The farmer plants the SONG. Some people are like the seed that falls on the hardened soil of the road. No sooner do they hear the SONG than Satan snatches away what has been planted in them. And some are like the seed that lands in the gravel. When they first hear the SONG, they respond with great enthusiasm. But there is such shallow soil of character that when emotions wear off and some difficulty arrives, there is nothing to show for it. The seed cast in the weeds represents the ones who hear the SONG but are overwhelmed with worries about all the things they have to do and all the things they want to get. The stress strangles what they heard, and nothing comes of it. But the seed planted in the good earth represents those who hear the SONG, embrace it, and produce a harvest beyond their wildest dreams.”

Let us be writer’s that sow beautiful stories packed full of His truth. We are farmers in His kingdom. We just do the sowing.

Keep in mind that some that what some hear in our song will be snatched away. Others will be really excited at first about what we bring them, but it’s going to wear off. Some will hear the song, and are still worried about themselves. BUT SOME WILL HEAR THE SONG, AND EMBRACE IT, IT WILL GROW, AND PRODUCE A BOUNTIFUL HARVEST!!

Keep sowing seeds, you farmers! One day, you will see a harvest for the kingdom of God!