Not a One and DoneSample

Every great recipe has certain ingredients it needs. Bread needs six - flour, yeast, sugar, salt, oil, and water. Fire needs three - oxygen, heat, and fuel. And farming needs five - seed, soil, water, sunshine, and time. Jesus ministered mostly in rural areas, so it’s no surprise he tells a story of a farmer spreading seeds.

But the challenge in the story isn’t the seed, or water, or time. The issue is the soil. And in the parable, the soil is the condition of our heart. Is our heart hardened? Are we distracted by other things that choke out God’s Word? Is our soil too rocky and does it need to have those stones removed? If we want to grow in our faith and produce good fruit in our life, then we need to work on our own soil - our own heart.

If you’re wondering how your soil is, ask yourself some of these questions. First, do I feel so busy that it’s hard to find time to read the Bible? Second, when I read it, am I open to learning or changing based on what I read? Next, am I faithful to stay with reading God’s Word, or do I stop after a few days or a few weeks? Finally, what distractions keep me from praying or applying God’s Word to my life?

The answers to those questions will reveal the condition of your soil. As you read the Scriptures this week, God’s Word is the seed being thrown. But farming isn’t only about the seed; it's how the seed is tended to once planted. Keep reading the Bible - being mindful to keep your own heart soft and open to the teachings and truths of God, water the seeds of his Word with faith, hope, and love.

Consider: The parable tells us that seeds that fall on good soil represent those who hear God’s Word and apply it to their lives; the seeds that fall on bad soil are those who hear God’s Word and ignore it. What kind of soil are the seeds of God’s Word falling on in your life?

Reflect: Take a few minutes to journal your thoughts and response to this passage of Scripture.