Thursday's Thoughts ~ How does your garden grow?

I am enjoying my reading through Luke.  One of the things I love about reading through the Bible is that no matter how many times I read a passage, the Lord will show me something new and teach me another aspect of faith.  I was reading through the parable of the soils - a fairly well known parable found in Luke 8.  I have studied it and taught it many times. 

When a large crowd was coming together, and those from the various cities were journeying to Him, He spoke by way of a parable:  “The sower went out to sow his seed; and as he sowed, some fell beside the road, and it was trampled under foot and the birds of the air ate it up. Other seed fell on rocky soil, and as soon as it grew up, it withered away, because it had no moisture. Other seed fell among the thorns; and the thorns grew up with it and choked it out. Other seed fell into the good soil, and grew up, and produced a crop a hundred times as great.” As He said these things, He would call out, “He who has ears to hear, let him hear.”

The disciples questioned Jesus about this parable.  I'm glad they did so we all got the full picture!  This is the part that I saw anew this time.

Those on the rocky soil are those who, when they hear, receive the word with joy; and these have no firm root; they believe for a while, and in time of temptation fall away. The seed which fell among the thorns, these are the ones who have heard, and as they go on their way they are choked with worries and riches and pleasures of this life, and bring no fruit to maturity. But the seed in the good soil, these are the ones who have heard the word in an honest and good heart, and hold it fast, and bear fruit with perseverance.  

These verses describe 3 different ways to live out faith (or not!)  Living in rocky soil or among thorns is absolutely the worst place to live.  To have known Jesus and then turned from Him is the worst of all places.  Temptation takes hold and it becomes easier and easier for the roots to give way and be pulled up.  

OR

We become distracted by worries, riches, pleasures -- the things of this life -- and they simply choke out what we had.  Our perspective becomes skewed and what we value tips on its side.  We find ourselves far from God - living our lives in our own way and by our own strength.  

I think that both of these paths can sneak up on us.  I think much of it depends on what we choose to focus on and allow in our lives.

So - here is the new thought that the Lord gave me this time around.

READY?

The good soil as NOTHING to do with us being good.  

In fact, allowing the Word to take root in good soil 

is a desperate act of dependence on the Lord.  

It is admitting our need and trusting Him with situations, 

circumstances and people that we just do not understand.

The Word grows in the rich soil of humility, 

repentance, 

dependence 

and desperation.

It takes perseverance to see spiritual fruit. 

But the seed in the good soil, these are the ones who have heard the word in an honest and good heart, and hold it fast, and bear fruit with perseverance. 

  

 It's hard.  

It is faith that overcomes 

the odds and defies our circumstances. 

  

 But oh, how worth it!  

To be rooted and grounded 

in the love of Jesus.

To be with Him in any and 

every circumstance.

How does your garden grow?

May the rich soil of God's Word

 be yours today.