Have you ever looked at your life and thought, “I’m not growing as I should. Others are doing great things, but I’m average.” Thoughts like these cause you to question yourself and doubt your decisions. Is it possible that the soil of your thoughts are planted in the wrong place? Could it be that you’re planted by people who discourage instead of uplift you? Does your soil contain contaminants of rejection, low self-esteem, guilt, and shame? Maybe the time has come to obtain a soil sample.
The Story: Matthew 13:1-9
In Matthew 13:1-9, Jesus was in a boat preparing to teach the crowd gathered on the shore. He spoke to them in a parable. A sower sowed seeds in a field. Some seeds fell beside the road and bird ate them. Others fell on rocky ground with little soil. The plant sprung but couldn’t survive as the roots weren’t deep and the sun burned. Even still, some fell among the thorns, which choked the seeds. Yet, some fell on good ground and the grain produced 30, 60, and 100 fold. When Jesus finished, He asked the listeners to hear and do His words.
The Lesson
This passage of scriptures refers to how we handle the preached Word of God. Do we let it go in one ear and out the other? Do we have momentary action and then return to our own way? Or does life outgrow what was sowed by the Word? Is it possible we allow the Word of God to take root in our lives and produce a mighty harvest? Only we know the type of soil the Word in planted in for us.
As we reflect on Matthew 13:1-9, we find application that extends beyond bible reading. Where we are is a sum total of where our thoughts have been and who we surround ourselves with. Let’s check our soil, which is synonymous with our thoughts and surroundings:
- No soil on the road – Our thoughts are random as we surround ourselves with negative and immobile people. We reject everything that could change our situation. The people around us validate where we are. We continue doing the same thing without growth. As a result, we experience stagnation.
- Little soil but rocky ground – We receive excitement about the possibility of change. Our minds are alive when we consider the opportunity before us. As we’re about to proceed in a new job, expanding our education, or even moving to another place, we quickly change our minds because our thoughts fill with all the reasons why we can’t.
- Thorny Ground – We share a new opportunity with others, but all we receive is negativity. Coupled with negative ones, there are those who endeavor to steal our opportunity. Still there are those who refuse to celebrate us and make the moment about themselves. Of course, we don’t escape unharmed by the thorns because these disheartening words often support the negative words we’ve said to ourselves.
- Good Soil – Here we thrive. We embrace the opportunities and press forward. We support ourselves with the Word of God, positive affirmations, and a tribe of supporters. Although the soil is good, there are a few rocks and sticks in it, but they don’t compare to our perseverance and commitment to success. We grab our moment and bloom for all the world to see.
Therefore, we choose the type of soil we live in. We decide the thoughts that linger and the people we surround ourselves with. The determination of our destiny is ours. While God has great things in store for us, we determine the outcome based on our soil.
