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I love gardening. There is something special about working with seeds and ground and—after a lot of hard work—watching food grow! There is something unique about the process: all of that plowing, planting, watering, pruning, and fertilizing somehow magically creates food. And food enough for a whole community!
Growing food is not easy. But neither is growing faith. In Mark 4:3-8, Jesus talks about letting our hearts be “good soil.” He describes a farmer planting on various types of soil: some seeds fall on the path and are eaten by the birds, some seeds fall on rocky ground, some seeds are choked by weeds, and some fall on good soil. It is the good soil, of course, that is looked for. Good soil produces an abundant crop. Good soil in our hearts produces the fruit of the Spirit.
But the truth is, we will never have perfect soil here on earth. Think about your own garden or fields. No matter what you do, there will always be weeds, rocks, pests, wet spells, dry spells or more that will keep you from the perfect crop.
The same is true in our own lives. Sometimes a particular sinful behavior creeps into our lives and threatens control. Sometimes other people hurl their hurt onto us. Sometimes our broken world throws trials at us that bring us down. All too often, we are so busy fighting to grow that we forget to stop and listen for the voice of God.
And yet, while we may never have “perfect soil” for our faith, this doesn’t mean our faith cannot produce fruit. The spirit of God encourages us towards love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness and self-control (Galatians 5:22) no matter our circumstances! And then God’s grace picks us up when we fail.
So, what does the soil of your heart look like?
- Does it need nurturing—water, rest, and fertilizer—so faith can to grow?
- Does it need tilling? You’ve heard the Word, but it has not sunk in?
- Is it choked by sin: the wrongful actions you have done or the hurtful actions imposed on you?
Where ever you are today, God reaches out and offers a chance at a new beginning. Lord, may our hearts be good soil.
Peace,
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