The Good Soil

But the seed falling on good soil refers to someone who hears the word and understands it. This is the one who produces a crop, yielding a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown. (Matthew 13:23)

You have the choice of becoming a good soil. But what does it take to be a good soil? It takes discipline and perseverance. It doesn’t just happen. Notice the illustration. Aside from understanding the word, this person is described as “producing” a crop. The results vary depending on the grace of God upon that person, but the effort is there to take care of the process. Producing a crop is an illustration of what kind of hard work is needed. It doesn’t happen overnight. There must be discipline — waking up early, tilling the soil, watering it, etc, — and also perseverance in order to produce a crop. In other words, becoming a good soil where the word of God can really grow roots and blossom is a cooperation, not a passive transaction. You have a part to fulfill, of course. But ultimately all growth comes from God. So we need to understand how this process (producing a crop) can happen in our lives. We need to eliminate hurry and other distractions from our lives in order to focus on what is truly important, the cultivation of our souls. This happens when we put God front and center in our consciousness, so that we can always set our hearts to attend to His presence. Then we should incline our ears to His voice, His still small voice, so that we can hear Him speak. His sheep, of course, will know His voice. If not, we should develop the discipline to discern it. The following daily habits can help us develop this focus: 1) Honor God with your time, talents and treasure, 2) Attend to your daily communion with God, 3) Build your knowledge of God through His word and works, 4) Involve yourself in God-pleasing relationships, 5) Take care of your family as God does, and 6) Serve God together with others. Shalom! (PB)