Here to HearSample

DAY 3

Written by Raimie Nelson

If you have ever planted flowers or gardened, you know that you need fertile soil for the new flowers to survive and grow bigger. The first step to getting good soil is to remove all of the overgrown weeds and grass so you can start fresh.

In this Parable of the Sower, Jesus is speaking about the four different types of soil. Matthew 13:7 is referring to the type of soil filled with weeds or thorns. The seeds that were planted couldn’t be tall because of the weeds preventing them from growing. This illustration represents those who hear the message of the gospel and receive it, but other, worldly things distract them. These distractions choke the seeds and prevent them from growing to their full potential. Due to a lack of commitment and devotion the seeds are unfruitful.

The longer you wait to pull out the weeds while gardening the harder it is to get them to come out of the soil. This also applies to us; Jesus wants to plant seeds in our hearts and grow them way past our expectations. In order for Him to do that though, we need to get rid of the worldly “thorns” preventing the growth. Take a minute and ask yourself, what are the thorns in my life that are keeping me from growing?

The best thing you can do is to completely cut the thorns out of your life. I know for myself, instead of trying to get down to the root of the worldly things holding me back, I just try and make them smaller. In reality, they are still present and preventing me from growing and maturing. In my walk with the Lord, I’ve struggled with comparison quite a bit. I have relied on my own efforts to try and stop comparing every aspect of my life to someone else. Obviously, I failed because I could never do it by myself. It wasn’t until I allowed Jesus to guide me that I was freed from constant comparison.

Prepare the soil of your heart and of your spirit for the seeds the Lord wants to plant and advance in you. This is not something we have to do alone; if we just ask God to help us, He will. John 14:13 says, “You can ask for anything in my name, and I will do it, so that the Son can bring glory to the Father.” When we let Jesus in and allow Him to work in us, it changes everything. You will never be the same. You will see your faith begin to get stronger, and the joy that radiates from you will spread like wildfire.

Pray this prayer with us today:

Heavenly Father, thank You that You love us so much that You help us walk through every step of our lives and that You want to use us to further Your kingdom. Lord, show us the areas of our lives that are hindering growth in our relationship with You and aid us in removing them so You can grow in us. We give You this completely. In Your Son's holy name we ask this, Amen.