“Still other seeds fell on fertile soil, and they sprouted, grew, and produced a crop that was thirty, sixty, and even a hundred times as much as had been planted!” Mark 4:8 NLT
I recently captured this picture in my garden. Clearly, the seeds of this flower had taken root in fertile soil to produce this beautiful flower. The seed was dependent upon the water, sun, and soil to produce its beauty.
In the parable of the sower (Mark 4:1-20) we see Jesus compare scripture to the seeds that a farmer scatters around his land. However, the outcome (or fruit produced) depends on the ground in which the seed falls.
There have been times in my life when I’ve fallen into every one of the categories mentioned. George Guthrie describes them so well here:
Seed on the path: the thud of a hard-packed heart
Seed in rocky soil: the withering of a shallow heart
Seed in thorny soil: the congestion of a weed-choked heart
Seed in good soil: the productivity of a receptive heart
What soil do you relate to right now?
I’m thankful for each person, experience, challenge, and opportunity for growth the Lord has given me on my journey so far. . . I’ve come a long way. . . .a very long way, but still have so far to go.
It’s our dependence on God that gives us the eyes, heart, and soil to receive His wisdom, direction, and deep growth.
It occurred to me that there is a formula to living in dependence on God. It consists of a few vital details, elements that ensure success.
#1 – Understanding, accepting, and realizing the path to living more like Christ will never be complete on this side of heaven. Without that understanding and acceptance, we grow frustrated, weary, and defeated.
#2 – We must extend ourselves grace. If we don’t, setbacks will cause discouragement and distance from God.
#3 – Continued growth won’t happen without a daily connection and dependence to God.
#4 – Never stop looking for ways for God’s Word to come alive.
What step are you struggling with today?
- I need to accept learning about God and being more Christlike will never be perfected in my life here.
- I need to give myself a little grace when I don’t understand, follow through or feel a close connection with God.
- I need to open my Bible and read scripture.
- I need to look for a new and creative way to seek God through the scriptures to awaken my heart and passion for Him.
Wherever you are today, I pray God places people in your path to encourage or teach you, that you feel His presence as you prayerfully approach Him for guidance, a desire to depend on Him, and that He shows up and shows off for you in new and amazing ways.
Knowing God
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