Green Thumb?
Well, I am going to be completely honest with you for a moment. I do not think of myself as having a green thumb. I just don’t! I’m able to keep things alive for a while; but, eventually they all seem to face the same fate. It’s sad, but true. However, this fact does not keep me from plants. I WANT to plant seeds and have a green thumb. God made the plants for us to have food, beauty, and don’t forget the health benefits! Getting to connect with God’s creation is always a wonderful thing. I want to be able to plant seeds and grow some of my own food. If I had the time or space to have a garden, my lack of having a green thumb would make me think twice about starting the endeavor. But, I would still like to try. It would be nice if one day it would click and I’d just “get it”. You never know! Until then, I will have to focus on connecting with God’s creation in a different way – planting seeds in a human “garden”.
Seeds From Jesus
This week God led me to a parable told by Jesus during His time here on Earth. Here is what He said.
“3 And he spake many things unto them in parables, saying, Behold, a sower went forth to sow; 4 And when he sowed, some seeds fell by the way side, and the fowls came and devoured them up: 5 Some fell upon stony places, where they had not much earth: and forthwith they sprung up, because they had no deepness of earth: 6 And when the sun was up, they were scorched; and because they had no root, they withered away. 7 And some fell among thorns; and the thorns sprung up, and choked them: 8 But other fell into good ground, and brought forth fruit, some an hundredfold, some sixtyfold, some thirtyfold. 9 Who hath ears to hear, let him hear.” Matthew 13:3-9 KJV
Seeds Explained
As the chapter continues Jesus explained the parable to His disciples.
“18 Hear ye therefore the parable of the sower. 19 When any one heareth the word of the kingdom, and understandeth it not, then cometh the wicked one, and catcheth away that which was sown in his heart. This is he which received seed by the way side. 20 But he that received the seed into stony places, the same is he that heareth the word, and anon with joy receiveth it; 21 Yet hath he not root in himself, but dureth for a while: for when tribulation or persecution ariseth because of the word, by and by he is offended. 22 He also that received seed among the thorns is he that heareth the word; and the care of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the word, and he becometh unfruitful. 23 But he that received seed into the good ground is he that heareth the word, and understandeth it; which also beareth fruit, and bringeth forth, some an hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.” Matthew 13:18-23 KJV
Seeds For Our Soil
God whispered 2 different things to me about this parable. But, let’s backtrack a little first. WE are the soil. Now, just in case there is any doubt, the soil is referring to our heart attitude and condition. As we hear God’s message, we then have free will to decide for ourselves what we will do with the information in our lives. Our decisions put us into basically 4 types of soil categories. In essence, it boils down to whether or not our soil (or heart) is good for promoting spiritual growth. There is only 1 of the four soil types that actually promotes good, continued growth which allows the plant to bear fruit.
Let’s get back to the first message that God whispered to my heart. It was directed towards each individual person. He said, “Check your soil type. If you are claiming to be a child of God, what soil type group do you fall into? Can you hear and understand my word? Do My seeds grow and bear fruit in your life?” So, check yourself! Let the seeds of your Brewing Ground grow and bear fruit.
Seeds For Others Soil
On to the second message that God whispered to my heart. This message was directed towards us as “sowers”. If we are claiming to be God’s children, then our job is to also be “sowers” of His seed. This parable should encourage us as we are taking on this challenge. It’s not a matter of whether or not we have sown good seeds; we have. But, not every seed will grow. Our job is just to sow the seed. Next comes the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit takes that seed and speaks to the heart of the individual. Remember, God has given each person free will to decide for themselves whether or not they will have a relationship with Him. You can plant seeds and the Holy Spirit can talk until He is blue in the face; the reality is some seeds will never grow and bear fruit. It is up to that individual to choose for themselves. So, be encouraged! Keep sowing your seeds, pray and leave the rest up to God.
Let’s Brew in God’s Garden!
Thoughts or opinions? Comment below!
