THE THORNY SOIL OF THE AMERICAN HEART
Jesus told a parable about a sower who sowed seed that fell on four types of soil. Some seed fell on a path, some in rocky soil, some fell in soil overgrown with thorns and some fell on good soil. Jesus later explained the parable to His disciples. He said the seed represented God’s Word and the soil represented the spiritual receptivity of the human heart.
Certainly, one can see all four heart conditions among Americans and their spiritual receptivity to the Word. But the third condition, the thorny soil condition, seems the most prolific. Americans are usually open to receiving God’s Word. Yet, the fruitfulness of their lives is often stunted. Why? Jesus explained it. They are troubled by the “worries of this life” or they are ensnared by “the lure of wealth.” The “desire for other things,” meaning worldly, rather than spiritual things, has choked the fruitfulness of the Word in them. As a result, they never really grow to spiritual maturity and fruitfulness.
What is your heart’s receptivity to the Word? Have you allowed the thorny vines of worry about the pandemic or politics to choke your spiritual growth? Have you become entangled and seduced by the pursuit of wealth and the desire for worldly things, which has choked your enthusiasm for God’s Word?
Or is your heart good soil? Are you receptive to God’s Word? Does the Word take root in you and bear good fruit?
PRAYER: Dear Father, none of us have pure hearts, but You have promised to give us a new heart. Help us to disentangle ourselves from the love of money and worldly things, so that Your Word can take deep root and be fruitful in us. We want hearts that love You and Your Word above all things. In Jesus’ name, amen.