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Good Soil

Reflect

If you want to grow a flower or fruit, it starts with testing, turning, and nourishing the soil so seeds can take root, thrive and produce a fruit or flower. As part of the process, you remove rocks, pull weeds, and enrich the ground with organic matter. You also must ensure the soil stays moist. Whatever you plant will only be as strong as the soil in which it grows. This is a task that requires patience and care, ensuring each step promotes lasting growth.

In Matthew 13:1-23 ESV, Jesus shares the explanation of the Parable of the Sower: “When anyone hears the word of the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what has been sown in his heart. This is what was sown along the path. As for what was sown on rocky ground, this is the one who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy, yet he has no root in himself, but endures for a while, and when tribulation or persecution arises on account of the word, immediately he falls away. As for what was sown among thorns, this is the one who hears the word, but the cares of the world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and it proves unfruitful. As for what was sown on good soil, this is the one who hears the word and understands it. He indeed bears fruit and yields, in one case a hundredfold, in another sixty, and in another thirty.”

Your soil is everything. God has blessed each of us with unique spiritual gifts and divine assignments, but there’s one thing He’s given us all: His Word. This is the start of our soil. It’s where growth begins. To understand means more than simply hearing. It means to have intimate, practiced knowledge. To apply the Word until it becomes an integral part of who you are, that's reflected in your day-to-day actions. Testing occurs through reading, reflection, and prayer. We ask God to reveal any areas of our lives that may be lacking or unbalanced. Once these insights are uncovered, we begin to "pull weeds" by transforming and changing our habits, heart posture, and thoughts to align with His will. The wisdom we gain from God helps to soften the hardened ground of our hearts, which may have been shaped by negative experiences in life. At this point, our spiritual soil is ready for seed, but this is not a one-time occurrence. We must continue to nourish our spiritual soil with the richest organic matter, the Word of God. Ultimately, through God, we must understand that our past pain and failures become nourishment when we surrender them to His grace, transforming what once seemed like waste into a source of strength. Finally, just as soil needs water to stay fertile, our hearts must be hydrated daily by His Word. When these events occur, God takes root in our lives, producing the fruits of the Spirit in various measures. Our fruitfulness might not look identical to one another, but every genuine believer yields something tangible and lasting in the eyes of God. This doesn’t just reside in you; it multiplies through you. The more you nurture your soil, the more abundant your spiritual harvest becomes, not only impacting your life but also everyone who will eat from your tree. This is your spouse, your children, and your extended family. Good soil is the first step in growing a God-centered life and a God-fearing home.