We’re all familiar with Matthew 13 right? The Parable of the Sower that Jesus was telling to his disciples and the large crowd that gathered regarding the word of God. Let's talk about it, starting at verse 3 says:
“… Consider the sower who went out to sow. As he sowed, some seed fell along the path and the birds came and devoured them. Other seed fell on rocky ground where it didn’t have much soil, and it grew up quickly since the soil wasn’t deep. But when the sun came up, it was scorched, and since it had no root, it withered away. Other seed fell among thorns, and the thorns came up and choked it. Still other seed fell on good ground and produced fruit: some a hundred, some sixty, and some thirty times what was sown. Let anyone who has ears listen.” (CSB)
Then we jump down to verse 18 where Jesus explains The Parable of the Sower:
“So listen to the parable of the sower: When anyone hears the word about the kingdom and doesn’t understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what was sown in his heart. This is the one sown along the path. And the one sown on rocky ground — this is the one who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy. But he has no root and is short-lived. When distress or persecution comes because of the word, immediately he falls away. Now the one sown among the thorns — this is the one who hears the word, but the worries of this age, and the deceitfulness of wealth choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful. But the one sown on the good ground — this is the one who hears and understands the word, who does produce fruit and yields: some a hundred, some sixty, some thirty times what was sown.” (CSB)
I mean what a convicting word when you really take the time to read and truly understand the message and point that Jesus was trying to make.
Which sower would you say speaks to where you currently are or have been? For me, it’s the seed that was sown on rocky ground, hearing the word, receiving it with joy (and conviction). But because of the lack of soil for deep roots to grow into, it’s short-lived. Understand, the desire for the word of God, the things of God, the intimacy with God has ALWAYS been there for me, a deep down and longing desire … sometimes I just struggle with making it all stick. I can hear a good and convicting word from a friend, from my pastors, a podcast, etc., and even reading it for myself and as the parable says - receive it with joy, shoot may even meditate on it for a lil bit longer (no more than 24 hours) but that’s really it. I mean I may eventually go back and review it if crosses my mind or I’m having a conversation with someone, but again that’s about it.
Y’all it’s a hard, but real truth to admit, and we gotta start somewhere right? Sitting in church thinking to myself “Ooh this is good!” and all the cute and catchy phrases about a word that I can’t even take with me longer than 24 hours!!! LOL - it’s crazy! But, honesty is the best place to start because that honesty comes from a meaningful place and that’s where change is birthed. Am I continuing to chew on the word I receive daily? Days afterward or am I just walking away from it feeling good in the moment but shortly forgetting it thereafter? Is it because of my lack of understanding of the word? Sometimes I do believe I’m inadequate in understanding the word, even in some conversations I have with my friends who have their own personal relationship with God that they invite me into a moment. Seeds of inadequacy are sown, doubt, and belief that I truly have what it takes not only within myself but with the help of the Holy Spirit to go deeper in the things of God, to read and study the word, and truly gain an understanding for myself that I can carry with me daily … that I can hide within the depths of my heart. Am I holding on to certain expectations and pressure that’s keeping me from going deeper? Why yes, because you can’t do much for yourself when you’re too busy looking around at what other people are doing. While focusing on everyone else and the revelation they’re catching, you’ll miss what God has for you EVERY. SINGLE. TIME! And that’s a hard yet simple lesson to learn!
Are we taking what we’re learning and reading back to God? Asking him what it says about Him, about his nature … what does this mean to me right now? God, what are you wanting me to take away from this? What’s the message? Cause I just know he’ll answer EVERY. SINGLE. TIME! We just have to be intentional and patient about asking because he’s going to reveal it!!! He wants to share his heart with us, but we have to be in position, at all times. What good is going to church, reading His word, even praying and then afterward we don’t do anything with it? We’re all talk with no action, feeling the joy and conviction for a moment that’s fleeting. It takes so much more than that, it requires so much more than that and it’s really simple but we overcomplicate it so much. We’re in our heads, we’re watching what other people are doing, we’re letting the enemy talk us out of it, getting distracted, chileee the list goes on and on.
After all, how can God trust me if I refuse to ensure that the seeds sown are in good and fruitful soil?
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