“The farmer sows the word.  Some people are like seed along the path, where the word is sown.  As soon as they hear it, Satan comes and takes away the word that was sown in them.  Others, like seed sown on rocky places, hear the word and at once receive it with joy.  But since they have no root, they last only a short time.  When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, they quickly fall away.  Still others, like seed sown among thorns, hear the word; but the worries of this life, the deceitfulness of wealth, and the desires for other things come in and choke the word, making it unfruitful.  Others, like seed sown on good soil, hear the word, accept it, and produce a crop – thirty, sixty, or even a hundred times what was sown.”                 – Mark 4:14-20

In my ministry, I’ve seen all these kinds of people.  There are those who are deceived by the Enemy and do not receive the Gospel we present.  There are those who like what they hear, but aren’t committed to Christ and walk away.  And there are also those who are overwhelmed by the troubles or temptations of the world and end up drowning in their despair.  But there are also some who receive the Gospel, grow in Christ, and become powerful disciples of our Lord.  Does this mean we should be more selective in those with whom we share the Gospel?  Absolutely not!  We are not called to decide who is worthy to hear the good news of Jesus Christ.  We are called to cast the seed of the Gospel far and wide, expecting that many will reject it or fall away from it… but also that some will receive it and cherish it.  Only God knows the outcome of a life.  We are called to share the Gospel and let God do the rest.