where does the word tiller come from?

God gave me this word nearly 20 years ago as a challenge to cultivate the ground so that the the Gospel could take root productively in people’s lives. The parable of the sowers is one of my favorite parts of Scripture because it dawned on me that the hardened dirt path, the rocky ground, and the thorny soil could all be worked into a fertile surface.

It seems obvious to me that what causes our soil to harden is often pain and suffering. But if we can find the courage to truly dig into that reality and learn to trust the Father, follow Jesus, and listen to the Holy Spirit; not only will it produce something significant in our lives, but we can then multiply that production by turning around and digging in with other people. This kind of transformation cannot be done alone however. It requires at least one other person to personally challenge and encourage a healthy relationship with self, others, and God. Trust and authenticity are key factors to effective tilling and sustained growth.

That same day Jesus went out of the house and sat beside the sea. And great crowds gathered about him, so that he got into a boat and sat down. And the whole crowd stood on the beach. And he told them many things in parables, saying: “A sower went out to sow. And as he sowed, some seeds fell along the path, and the birds came and devoured them. Other seeds fell on rocky ground, where they did not have much soil, and immediately they sprang up, since they had no depth of soil, but when the sun rose they were scorched. And since they had no root, they withered away. Other seeds fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked them. Other seeds fell on good soil and produced grain, some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty. He who has ears, let him hear.” ‭‭Matthew‬ ‭13:1-9‬ ‭ESV‬‬

“Hear then the parable of the sower: When anyone hears the word of the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what has been sown in his heart. This is what was sown along the path. As for what was sown on rocky ground, this is the one who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy, yet he has no root in himself, but endures for a while, and when tribulation or persecution arises on account of the word, immediately he falls away. As for what was sown among thorns, this is the one who hears the word, but the cares of the world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and it proves unfruitful. As for what was sown on good soil, this is the one who hears the word and understands it. He indeed bears fruit and yields, in one case a hundredfold, in another sixty, and in another thirty.” ‭‭

Matthew‬ ‭13:18-23‬ ‭ESV‬‬