Planting Seeds of Salvation: Sharing the Gospel with Love and Intention

Spring stirs something holy in me. Maybe it’s the rhythm of new beginnings or the way light lingers a little longer. As I’ve been outside recently, digging in the dirt and preparing my garden, I’ve been thinking a lot about what it means to be intentional with the planting of seeds—not just the kind that yield tomatoes and sunflowers, but the kind that bear eternal fruit: seeds of salvation.

I wonder if you’ve been out in the garden too. There’s something sacred in the ritual. I carefully picked out my seeds—coleus for color, basil for the kitchen, and lettuce for crisp, early harvests. As I held each packet, I imagined how it might thrive—considering the light, the spacing, and whether it would have what it needed to grow. Every detail mattered. I wasn’t just scattering seeds—I was preparing for something beautiful.

This year, I’ve done the work. But I’ve also had seasons where I bought seeds and left them sitting in the packet. I had good intentions but no follow-through. The result? Nothing grew. The seeds didn’t fail because they were bad—but because no one planted them.

It made me think about the Gospel.

Sowing the Word

Romans 10:14–15 asks us a convicting question:
“How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them?”

Paul uses this line of logic to underscore something essential: people don’t accidentally stumble into faith. Just like seeds don’t plant themselves, the truth of salvation must be intentionally sown. Someone has to go. The message must be spoken. A seed needs to be planted.

And that someone might be us.

Isaiah 52:7 says, “How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news.” It’s a beautiful thing when we live and speak in a way that brings others closer to Christ—not through pressure or performance, but through presence.

Gospel in the Garden

While waiting for my little seedlings to emerge, I realized how much of my work was done before I ever placed a seed in the ground. I prepared the soil, studied how the sunlight moved across the yard, and made sure the hose could reach. Then I cleared out rocks and pulled up the weeds. Only then did I tuck those tiny seeds into the earth.

Sharing the Gospel isn’t so different. We must prepare—through prayer, relationship, and love. We look for open hearts, we build trust, and we let people see the light in us before we scatter the truth. Seeds tossed onto concrete rarely take root—but seeds sown in softened ground? They surprise us with beauty.

Psalm 19:4 tells us that “Their voice goes out into all the earth, their words to the ends of the world.” God’s truth echoes across creation. Deuteronomy 32:21 and Isaiah 65:1–2 speak to God revealing Himself even to those who weren’t looking. Sometimes He uses us as the echo.

Want to explore how creation itself can strengthen your spiritual life? Read How Caring for Creation Can Strengthen Your Faith.

When “The Bible Says” Doesn’t Land

You may have noticed that quoting Scripture doesn’t always carry weight with non-believers. That’s because, as 1 Corinthians 2:14 explains, “The person without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God… they are discerned only through the Spirit.” That’s why we must not only speak truth—we must live it.

When your life reflects peace, joy, kindness, forgiveness, and hope, it catches people off guard in the best way. It makes them curious. It builds trust. It opens the soil of their hearts.

Then, when they ask, “Why are you different?”—you can be ready, just as 1 Peter 3:15 encourages us: “Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect…”

If you’re looking for encouragement to share your faith with boldness, Faith Over Fear: Sharing the Hope of Easter Boldly will help.

Let the Spirit Lead

We are not alone in this. John 14:26 reminds us that the Holy Spirit “will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.” You don’t have to be perfect. You don’t need to memorize every verse. God can use your everyday words, your gentle gestures, your quiet witness.

There have been moments where I felt completely unequipped—where I hesitated to speak about Jesus for fear of saying it wrong. But looking back, I realize those moments weren’t mine to control. They were seeds to plant, and God is the one who makes them grow (1 Corinthians 3:6).

If you’ve ever felt broken or unqualified, my testimony-  Finding God’s Faithfulness Through Brokenness: My Story of Healing, Hope, and Purpose may encourage you.  

How to Be Saved

And maybe you’re here because someone once planted a seed in you—or maybe you’ve just stumbled across this page, and your heart is curious. If you’re wondering how to be saved, Scripture is clear:

“If you declare with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.” (Romans 10:9)

It goes on to say, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” (Romans 10:13)

It’s not about being perfect. It’s about trusting Jesus with your life. If you’ve never done that, there’s no better time than now.

And if you’re navigating a hard season, this post on What to Do When Life Hits Hard: A Reminder to Seek God First offers encouragement rooted in faith.

Tend the Soil, Scatter the Seeds

We don’t always know which seeds will grow and which ones will stay buried. But we aren’t called to be soil inspectors—we’re called to be sowers. So let’s live like people who believe in resurrection, in renewal, in redemption. Let’s plant seeds of salvation wherever we go: through our words, our actions, and our love.

Look around—who’s in your garden right now? A coworker, a friend, a family member? Pray for them. Be present. Ask God to open the soil of their heart.

And don’t leave your seed packets sitting on the shelf. Open them.

The Gospel is good news. Let’s scatter it with love and faith.

Bonus Gardening Tip: The Best Way to Get Seeds to Grow

If you’re anything like me, you’ve had years when your garden flourished—and other years when nothing seemed to sprout. What I’ve learned is this: the best way to get seeds to grow is to stay consistent with the little things.

• Start with healthy soil. Loosen it up and add compost or nutrients. Good soil makes all the difference.
• Don’t bury the seeds too deep. Follow the packet instructions—each one’s different. A seed planted too deep may never see the sun.
• Keep it moist, not soaked. Water gently and regularly. A steady rhythm helps roots take hold.
• Be patient. Some seeds take a while. You may not see growth for days—or even weeks—but that doesn’t mean nothing’s happening beneath the surface.

Just like in our faith journey, growth takes time, care, and trust. Don’t give up if you don’t see immediate fruit. Keep tending the soil. Keep showing up. Something beautiful is on the way.

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