That Hits Different Sample

Good Ground 

Jesus wrapped up this parable by explaining one final type of soil, which He described as “good ground.” He said the seed that fell on good ground produced a harvest beyond anybody’s wildest dreams — producing in some cases 30, 60, and 100 times more than what was sown. 

To put it in money-terms, this would be like someone investing $100 into you and that $100 growing into $10,000! 

Jesus described this kind of person as the one who hears God’s Word and holds on to it no matter what.  

In every example Jesus listed, the seed was the exact same. The seed always contained nutrients and energy, which is exactly what God longs to give us — words that nourish our souls and give us life. The dirt it landed on made all the difference though, and so it is with God’s Word — it hits every heart different because everyone’s heart is different. 

If at any point you find yourself in church thinking, “I didn’t get anything out of that message,” there’s a possibility that the problem was the soil, not the seed. 

God releases His words and wisdom to us, but it’s on us to cultivate the quiet and steward the stillness so we can receive it. 

God can drop the seed, but it’s on us to do something with it. If you want to go deeper with God, do something with what He gives you. James 1:22 tells us, “Don’t just listen to God’s Word — do something with it.” What if instead of finding five new sermons to listen to, you tried to apply the truth from the last one you heard? Nothing will deepen your roots like doing. 

In Elevation YTH, we’re preparing for our annual summer experience, YTHX21. We know God is going to speak, and we want to be ready to receive and respond to whatever He releases to us. We’re not asking God to give us a few goosebumps — we’re asking God to do a deep work that changes us from the inside out. We can count on God to give us the seed, but can He count on us to prepare our soil? 

If you want to prepare your spirit, start by preparing your soil.

And here’s the thing — the word God gives you most likely isn’t just for you! The seed is always meant to produce a harvest that will feed others. God doesn’t give you something so you can maintain it — He gives you something so He can multiply it. He’s in the business of doing immeasurably more — but we’ve got to do our part too. We’ve got to share what He gives us and spread what He teaches us. 

Are you good ground? God can be trusted to release what you need, but can you be trusted to grow what He gives you? 

Spend time in God’s Word and ask Him to help your life become good ground. Reflect and journal on what God has shown you over the past four days. Soak up His words and then get ready for what He’s going to speak next! 

For more information about YTHX21, click here.