Those who set out to make disciples quickly discover that the reason more people don’t go down this road is because of the utter impossibility of achieving results. Our part is simply faith and faithfulness. While rereading Ragamuffin, I have just come across this wonderful poem from Tagore:
No, it is not yours to open buds into blossoms.
Shake the bud, strike it; it is beyond your power to make it blossom.
Your touch soils it, you tear its petals to pieces and strew them in the dust.
But no colours appear, and no perfume.
Ah! It is not for you to open the bud into blossom.
He who can open the bud does it so simply.
He gives it a glance, and the life-sap stirs through its veins.
At his breath the flower spreads its wings and flutters in the wind.
Colours flush out like heart-longings, the perfume betrays a sweet secret.
He who can open the bud does it so simply.
This poem reminds me of Paul’s approach to the development of other believers found in 2 Corinthians 1:24 -“Not that we lord it over your faith, but we work with you for your joy, for you stand firm in your faith.”
The gospel is a seed. We can’t make it grow. All we can do is plant, water and weed as God gives us strength and guidance. So take heart and be faithful, leaving the results to “He who can open the bud.”