Sorry its been a while...busy as ever!
I was just reading this morning the Parable of the Sower (Luke 8:5-15). And Jesus is talking to a group of people about a farmer who is scattering seeds. Some fall along the path, get trampled on, and the birds eat them up. Some seeds fall on rock, and when they start to grow the plants wither because they can't get water. Other seeds fall among thorns, and the thorns grew up with the plants and choked the plants. Still other seeds fall on good soil and produce an amazing crop, 100 times more than was sown!
And Jesus then explains this parable by saying this...
"This is the meaning of the parable: The seed is the word of God. Those along the path are the ones who hear, and then the devil comes and takes away the word from their hearts, so that they may not believe and be saved. Those on the rock are the ones who receive the word with joy when they hear it, but they have no root. They believe for a while, but in the time of testing they fall away. The seed that fell among thorns stands for those who hear, but as they go on their way they are choked by life's worries, riches and pleasures, and they do not mature. But the seed on good soil stands for those with a noble and good heart, who hear the word, retain it, and by persevering produce a crop."
When I read this I started to think about it more deeply; which one am I? Of course all of us probably want to be the good soil that produces a great crop and is strong in their faith and living well. But, the reality is is that we lie to ourselves when it comes to ourselves. I like to think more highly of myself then I should or then I am, which is what made me second guess where I stand according to this parable.
To be the good soil we cannot just go to church every Sunday, put money in the collection plate, and be courteous to others. It is so much more then that! We need to live a life dedicated to God. We need to live each moment of our lives for Him; not just once a week on Sundays. What it takes to be the good soil is trusting in God, relying on Him, having a relationship with Him, loving Him, letting His love, grace, mercy, and forgiveness cover you and then reciprocating that to other people.
I suggest that you evaluate your own life...Be honest with yourself...
Have you heard what people say about God or what you hear in church about God and just dismiss it as fake or just tradition?
Did you start to learn about God and just fade away from it?
Has something happened in your life that made you stop believing what you once did? Family or friend pass away unexpectedly? Some sort of tragedy?
Are you just too "busy" to have God in your life? Caught up in your job, in money, the pleasures of this world?
Or are you sincerely on the good soil? Flourishing in your relationship with God by constant prayer and getting in His word (the Bible)?
Which soil are you?
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