Convicted: Are You the Good Soil?

In Matthew 13, Jesus shares the Parable of the Sower, where He explains that the seeds from the farmer fall in different places and on different types of soil. Some seeds fall along the path, some fall on rocky ground, others fall among thorns, and finally, some fall on good soil and grow.

I like to think of myself as the good soil—where the thoughts and teachings of God take root and flourish. But as I was reading Crazy Love by Francis Chan, I realized my error. My life is much more like the soil among the thorns than I care to admit.

Chan writes, “American churchgoers are the soil that chokes the seed because of all the thorns. Thorns are anything that distracts us from God. When we want God and a bunch of other stuff, then that means we have thorns in our soil.” Wow. What a hard reality to face.

I long to have, enjoy, and experience many things, while still including God in the process. But is that truly what God desires from me? Does He want my heart divided, or does He want my whole heart and my full attention? If I’m honest with myself, I see that there are many thorns in my life. So many things compete for my time, energy, and even my finances.

The Question: What Am I Going to Do About It?

The real question is: What will I do about it? Will I keep reading and ignore the fact that I’ve put too much emphasis on material things, or will I make adjustments? Am I convicted enough to act on what I’ve learned?

It’s easy to point out the areas in other people’s lives where they need change. I can tell them what they need to do and even how to do it. But what about me? Am I convicted enough to make the necessary changes in my own life? It’s not easy—changing habits and priorities never is—but with God's help, I know it’s possible.

I need to spend more time with God, be more attentive to His will, and let go of the things that distract me. According to His Word, doing so will ultimately be in my best interest.

As 2 Corinthians 9:8 reminds us, “And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.”

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Planting Seeds of Faith: Insights from the Parable of the Sower

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The Greatest Ingredient: Love