Most of us don’t farm these days, the planting of seeds and growing a crop is something most haven’t experienced. If I were to plant a garden, I would have to do quite a bit of research to ensure a lush fruitful experience. I am so thankful for farmers and people who have a hand in filling our markets with food.
I know I have been guilty of reading through the Word and not really pausing to grasp what God was trying to point out in the stories told. In this, I am sure I am not alone. Many great analogies come from these stories and analogies such as found in Luke 8.
“A farmer went out to sow his seed. As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path; it was trampled on, and the birds ate it up. Some fell on rocky ground, and when it came up, the plants withered because they had no moisture. Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up with it and choked the plants. Still, other seed fell on good soil. It came up and yielded a crop, a hundred times more than was sown.”
I am grateful to have been born after Christ’s life here on earth. Those who lived before Christ and his death lacked the blessing of the Holy Spirit dwelling within them. Without the Holy Spirit, they lacked supernatural assistance in understanding the words Jesus spoke.
The disciples pulled Jesus aside asking him what he meant by those words he had given concerning the seeds for they were just not understanding. Jesus ever so gracious and understanding explained.
“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 rocky ground 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.” (Luke 8, TPT)
So, the seed represents the Word of God. The types of ground conditions represent our hearts. The heart is the wellspring of our lives. The things we take into our eyes and those things we listen to with our ears produce what we see in our words and actions. The condition of our heart truly affects every aspect of our lives and what we believe.
A hard heart can be changed. Forgiveness is powerful to break down its walls. Forgiving others can be so hard to do. Many don’t realize that forgiving another doesn’t free the offender for their behavior or actions, however, it sets you free! It completely removes the weight and walls surrounding our lives. As those walls come down, the goodness of God can now penetrate our hearts. Even if you don’t believe in God, forgiving others will remove the heaviness unforgiveness brings. A softened heart means the word of God has a chance to enter in and not be taken away so easily.
Remember, God’s Word is alive and active, sharper than a two-edged sword. (Hebrews 4:12) The Word has the power to change us and our mindsets. The Word of God is the truth, truth that sets us free.
Now, those seeds that fall onto gravel would mean the walls around one’s heart are not solid like a hardened path yet there are still hard places like some unforgiveness, wrong thinking, painful memories, and more lurking about. Initially, the word that is taught sounds amazing, it has the space to pierce your heart deeply, however, the undealt issues seem to always be at the forefront of one’s mind along with the cares of the world. When we are focused on our issues and problems instead of our Maker and Savior, we are choosing the world’s way. Those seeds of hope, the nuggets of truth, become quiet and easily forgotten. The roots that may have started to take ground are too shallow and weak to take hold and thrive. Therefore, those truths fade away and all of us have experienced this in our lives.
The seeds that fall into the weeds represented ground that was good for growth however it is filled with weeds, the cares of this world. These cares represent our focus on life’s drama, our finances, our health, problems, pleasures, one’s own agenda instead of the plans, goodness, and promises of the Lord. Therefore, the seed that we read or hear does grow but it is unable to mature and produce fruit, the rich benefits of God’s promises. In this place, one participates in a godly setting, listens and enjoys the what is taught but after hearing what was taught quickly picks up life’s routine until the next weekly meeting. Weeds crowd out and distract!
Then there is the good soil of the heart. Hearts that love truth. Hearts that take time to ponder the specific words of God, allowing the roots of the word to go deeper into their hearts. Hearts that practice what they hear even when at first it seems awkward. These are people who cling and hold onto the Word and truth regardless of their circumstances. You see when we take time to think about the Word, listen or read it over and over, a suddenly will occur. What you have been pondering will come to life and take on a very real and personal meaning. It becomes a treasure. Then the things you are believing for in faith, you know you will see it fulfilled, for you understand God cannot lie. It is this heart that will bear much fruit as the seed matures! This is a daily lifestyle. This is the exciting part. Seeing the promises and victories of God come to life before your eyes!
So how do I till the soil of my heart? Analogies are great and here I am going to use an onion. Yes! Onions have many layers to them. My life has been full of layers. Some great, some good and some not so good. God knows each layer better than I do. He knows why I have made the choices I have. He knows how to remove the things that hinder me. He knows the things in our lives that must be dealt with to attain victory, to soften the heart to receive. He also knows which order these layers should be dealt with.
God wants to break down the walls of a hardened heart, remove the stones from the soil of your heart, pull the weeds, so your heart is in prime condition to receive and produce a mighty harvest here on this earth. Only he knows what must be dealt with first, second, third, and so on. For he knows how to bring the healing that lasts.
In my life, there have been so many times where God will want to deal with a layer. He will show me or remind me of past experiences or situations or just call out an area that had created some damage or stones in my heart. Sometimes I have asked for it, other times he deals with it. At that moment, I must choose to deal with it or not, allowing God to come in and help me or not.
Until I deal with what he has shown me, I am not able to move forward into the better places God has for me. I become stuck on a plateau. God is good. He is not hard on me. He is a gentleman and lets me make the choice. His goodness is there even when we say no. However, there is the danger of settling, choosing to deal with the issue by yourself, becoming comfortable, learning to live with the pain or problem or just pushing it back down deep inside leaving it undealt with. The stone is left in the soil of your heart.
The heart of God is to set you free. It’s why Jesus came! God would never show you a layer or point out an area in your life unless he was there with the power to free you. He loves you!
Believe the Word! If the Lord shines his light of truth on an issue or layer in your life, trust that He has all the power to set you free in a moment! Now, it doesn’t feel good at the front end of this process but the finish-line is a sweet place of victory, refreshment, and freedom.
I have experienced God’s corrective hand, it is not always comfortable, but I would not be where I am without it! Nothing is too great for God! I know his love for me outnumbers the sand. I will be 99 years old and he will be ever so kind as to show me yet another layer in my life to deal with. I am not saddened by this, I know this flesh is stubborn and continually wants to act up and will always need refining from my Father!
I desire a heart able to accept seeds of truth as God sees fit to deliver them. These seeds are needed for our benefit. The Lord wants us prepared for the days and seasons ahead of us! He knows them! The Bible says he knows the beginning from the end. If I really trust him, I will allow him to work in me and prepare me for every day ahead of me. With that mindset, I strive to put into practice what I am learning so I am ready when the opportunities arise.
We all are on our own journey! None of our journey’s look alike, however, we can encourage one another along the way! My prayer is you find your God-appointed friends who will love you enough to sharpen you and keep pointing you back to the Father in every area of your life.
Photo by troy williams on Unsplash
