The heading in my Bible of Luke 8:1-15 is entitled, “The Parable of the Sower.” Yet, as I read this scripture this morning, I am focused on verse 11 as I hear Jesus saying, “The seed is the word of God.”
This seed is simply amazing. Wherever it lands, it grows. It comes up in rocky ground; it grows amongst the thorns; it yields a crop in good soil. I imagine that it would have even come up along the path if it wasn’t trampled on or if it wasn’t eaten up by the birds. It reminds me of what Isaiah said about God’s word, “My word that goes out from My mouth: It will not return to Me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it” (Isaiah 55:11).
This morning I am challenged because I see all these different soil types in my life. I hear the word of God, but sometimes it is drowned out by the noise of life. Other times I am so happy and eager to hear God speak, but I am so easily distracted by the allurement of life. There are still other times when I welcome what God says, but the issues of life smother the word that I received. The most disturbing part is when Jesus says, “Good soil stands for those with a noble and good heart…” (Luke 8:15).
It is both disturbing and convicting because I have a small spot in my heart that is fertile, but even that didn’t come naturally. There was and is a lot of ground work that needs to be done to produce a “harvest of righteousness” (Hebrews 12:11).
If I had to do all the work by myself, I may as well give up. The good news is that I have all the help I need. Jesus said that God would send us a helper (John 14:16); Jesus invites us to be yoked with Him (Matthew 11:29); and scripture reminds us that it is God who ultimately gives the growth (I Corinthians 3:6-7).
If I cultivate my heart, allow God’s seed to germinate, I am assured that God will complete the work that He started (Philippians 1:8). I can rejoice and be grateful in this thought even though nothing seems to be happening in my life.
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