One Plants, One Waters
10/30/2025
Camilo Flores
Many of the books I’ve been reading about agriculture all begin with the same theme: preparing the soil. It’s one of the most demanding tasks in the entire planting process, and so far, it’s been the most exhausting one for me. I’ve ended up with back pain, sunburns, and hands covered in dirt. From breaking up hard clumps of soil to pulling out weeds or trying not to damage tree roots, these have been long, strenuous days of preparation. All of it so that, in a single afternoon, every seed can find its place and begin to grow under daily care.
In the middle of this work, the words of Matthew 13:1–18 came to mind, where Jesus tells the parable of the sower and then explains its meaning. Jesus’ message is about the Word of God falling on different kinds of hearts, and how only some bear fruit because they receive and understand it. But as I thought about that, I wondered: even though the parable doesn’t blame the sower, could it be that sometimes we act like careless sowers?
Jesus spoke of seed that fell along the path, on rocky ground, and among thorns. But really, what farmer doing his job well would throw seeds where he knows they won’t grow, or will soon die?
We often do the same thing: we share the message of salvation without first taking the time to prepare the heart of the person we’re speaking to. Working with a hardened heart takes time, patience, investment, and sacrifice. It’s like tilling heavy clay soil—you have to break through the hardness, remove the rocks, and pull out the thorns.
Applied to spiritual life, this is what we refer to as preparation, discipleship, counseling, and community. It’s not just about preaching, it’s about walking alongside someone and helping them face their “rocks” (trials and hardships) and their “thorns” (the worries, distractions, and riches of life).
Sowing isn’t just about tossing a seed and forgetting about it. It requires effort, love, and consistent care. It’s living out the commandment: “Love your neighbor as yourself” (Matthew 22:39).
At the same time, we shouldn’t worry about the growth, because that job belongs only to God. As 1 Corinthians 3:6–7 says:
“I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God has been making it grow.”
The beautiful thing about all of this is that we don’t have to do it alone — we can do it in community. Paul said, “I planted the seed, Apollos watered it,” and in the same way, we too can be a community that cares for one another, like a well-tended garden. In community, we can confront and overcome sin, cast out gossip, throw away bitterness, nourish hearts with words of love and care, and water them with the Word of God and with prayer.
“I said, ‘Plant the good seeds of righteousness, and you will harvest a crop of love.
Plow up the hard ground of your hearts, for now is the time to seek the Lord,
that he may come and shower righteousness upon you.’”
— Hosea 10:12 (NLT)
Camilo, a Business Engineering graduate originally from Tarija, BO, is leading the restructuring and growth of the community garden. He is passionate about serving and supporting the needs of the local community and church. Married and a proud father, he enjoys life with his beautiful wife and daughter.