White Puff Balls and the Gospel

By:  Jodi Aiken

Wildflowers and weeds occupied the large lot next to the home where I grew up. I loved wandering around the turf searching for treasures. I especially liked to find dandelions. Their yellow petals transform into a white puff ball called a seed head. Finding my treasure, I would bend down, carefully breaking the stem without causing the ball to fall apart. While holding my breath, I held it close to my chest making a wish. Then, I would bring it up to my mouth and blow it as hard as I could. The white puff ball exploded in every direction as if carrying the message of my wish to a magical place.

As I recalled this childhood memory, I recognized that as believers in Christ Jesus, we are much like the white puff ball of the dandelion. The ball holds many seeds, and each seed is attached to a stem with white fur at the tip commonly called parachutes. The wind catches the fur and dislodges the seed. The parachute rides the breeze until it finds fertile soil.

Like the seeds embedded in the dandelion, God has given us the seed of the gospel message to scatter. Because He loved us, He sent His only begotten Son, Jesus, to rescue us. He took our shame and sin to the cross. He died on that cross, was buried, and raised to life on the third day. He did this so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish, but have eternal life. Therefore, as believers, we have the seed of the gospel.

Our bodies are like the furry white parachutes of the dandelion head. We are dispersed out in the world, riding the breeze, not knowing where we will land.  When we do land, we are to plant the seed. That could take place in many different environments such as your workplace, salon, park, school, coffee shop, grocery store.

When we are looking for opportunities to plant the seed of the gospel, God will open our eyes to see and give us the words to speak. His word in Mark 13:11 encourages us not to worry in advance about what to say. Just say what God tells you at that time, for it is not you who will be speaking, but the Holy Spirit.

As a Minister’s wife people think it’s easy for me to share the gospel, but like anyone else, I worry that I might mess up. When I focus on messing up, I am prone not to share. However, when I remember I can trust God to give me words to speak, and that He has been preparing the soil (the person I will share with) to accept the seed, I gain the courage to share. A reminder that it is a privilege and honor to be used of God to impact lives for His Kingdom.  Remembering,  it’s not all about me.

One day, I needed to run into the doctor’s office to pick up some sample meds for my husband. We all love free samples, right?  As I was waiting to pick them up, I noticed off to the side of the room a woman standing alone. She looked like she carried the weight of the world on her shoulders.  I began praying for her silently. After receiving the samples, I walked towards the elevator and said hello to her. As I went to step into the elevator, it was as if God said, “Stop.” Before I knew it, I walked up to her and asked if she would be okay if I prayed for her right then. With slight hesitation, she agreed. I placed my hand on hers and prayed as the Lord led me. She opened her eyes and gazed into mine as if to say, “How did you know?”.  I thanked her for letting me pray for her. She asked me what church I attended. I told her, and we parted ways. Later that night she somehow found my church on Facebook and reached out to my husband to get a message to me. She wanted to thank me and to let me know that she believed God had sent me at the very moment she was at her breaking point.

What took place that day happened because God showed up and gave me the courage and words. He will do the same for you if only you are willing.  Are you willing?

God has given us instructions in Matthew 28:19-20 to go and make disciples…teaching them to observe all that He has commanded us and He will always be with us. (my paraphrase)
It makes me giggle as I reflect on how often I blew seeds in the field next to my home. It explains why there were so many dandelions.  Much like that, the breath of God breathes on us, dispersing us to carry the Gospel seed!

Let me encourage you to search for treasures on the turf where you land; Treasured souls awaiting the Good News of the Gospel!

Jodi Aiken is the mom to two boys, a frequent blogger, and speaker for conferences focused on making disciples among women. She is passionate about sharing her stories and teaching others to know Him and make Him known. She has dedicated over 15 years to leading women’s ministry. Jodi holds an Associates of Science in Business Administration from Pensacola State College, works as a Realtor in the Florida panhandle, and is married to Chris Aiken, a senior pastor in Pensacola and her husband of 28 years.

You can check out Contagiousjoy4him & our statement of faith here. We Believe.   You can check our Founder and Directors’s speaking schedule here.  Find out more about Diane and our writing team.