Good Soil

The final quadrant on the matrix is where understanding is coupled with obedience.

It is when these two items are used in conjunction that good results begin to manifest. For this part of the parable I immediately think about the gardens I’ve grown over the years.

For anyone who has taken on the daunting task of planting a garden, you can attest that the work is in the preparation of the soil.

Simply waking up one spring morning and throwing some seeds in the dirt may yield some results but not the most desired.

One of the most successful gardens I had was built around a section of land that had been used previously as a dog kennel. The previous owners had a full litter of dogs and little did they know they were preparing the soil for the future. By the time I tilled the land the nutrient-rich soil was ready for incredible growth.

I remember fondly the rows of beans, okra, squash, and other vegetables that absolutely blossomed. The land had been worked, prepared, and carefully designed. The result from the knowledge of how to create the garden coupled with my obedience to stay on track and keep the weeds down produced results that most could only hope for.

We have to remember that when we make the decision to get up and pursue Christ each day, that is tilling our soil. The constant pursuit of knowing Him better and aligning that knowledge to the actions we take is how we position ourselves for the best possible harvest.

If you are thinking that right now you do not have enough knowledge to discern what is from Him, I want to encourage you to keep pursuing Him daily. Read God’s Word, pray, talk to other believers, and keep seeking Him in all you do. Then as you learn and things begin to snap into focus you must move to take steps of obedience.

This is where the rubber meets the road and quite often the steps you take are not going to be the ones you want. It is about surrendering ourselves to His will and trusting Him no matter the circumstances. It is that knowledge paired with obedience that yields the abundant blessing that He greatly desires for us.

Questions to Consider

1. How can you align your knowledge of God's Word with your actions in daily life, surrendering your will to Him and trusting in His plan, even when it may be challenging?
2. How does consistent effort in seeking God through prayer, reading His Word, and fellowship with other believers contribute to the richness of our spiritual soil?

Thank You

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