Good Dirt

Jesus said, “Listen! A sower went out to sow. And as he sowed, some seeds fell on the path, and the birds came and ate them up. Other seeds fell on rocky ground, where they did not have much soil, and they sprang up quickly, since they had no depth of soil. But when the sun rose, they were scorched; and since they had no root, they withered away. Other seeds fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked them. Other seeds fell on good soil and brought forth grain, some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty. Let anyone with ears listen!”

Matthew 13:3-9

If we were to move from the house where we live, one thing that would be very hard to leave is the garden dirt. I’ve worked with that soil for several years, mostly adding organic matter. Most of the garden has become easy to work, and plants thrive, sometimes producing enough to freeze or give away. Every so often, though, like yesterday, I encounter a spot with solid clay only a couple of inches below the surface. I put in seeds and wish them luck.

Jesus’ asks us to look at what kind of dirt we are for the seed of God’s Word. Are we on a path, out in the open where evils and distractions will devour the Word before it can sprout? Are we rocky soil, where the Word can take root, but the roots can’t go deep because our hearts are hard, and the seed God plants withers quickly. Do we support lots of weeds – interests and occupations that draw our minds and hearts elsewhere? Or are we good soil that offers its very being freely to grow the seeds God plants in us?

Unlike garden soil, the soil of our lives can change daily – or even more often. We don’t need to worry whether God will speak a Word to us – through scripture, a teacher, a friend or a stranger. God is always sowing seeds. We do need to cultivate our soil, so that God’s seeds can grow. I can’t imagine how many Words from God have withered in me. Maybe my garden soil will remind me to cultivate my heart.

God’s peace,

Katie