What Are You Growing?

Today's sermon was about the parable of the sower.

"That same day Jesus went out of the house and sat by the lake. ² Such large crowds gathered around him that he got into a boat and sat in it, while all the people stood on the shore. ³ Then he told them many things in parables, saying: “A farmer went out to sow his seed. ⁴ As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up. ⁵ Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow. ⁶ But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no root. ⁷ Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants. ⁸ Still other seed fell on good soil, where it produced a crop—a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown. ⁹ Whoever has ears, let them hear.” Matthew 13

Obviously the parable is in both Mark and Matthew and it is a powerful message indeed. God is the sower, providing us with an abundant supply of possibilities to live his word and grow in our relationship with him. What are you growing?

The seeds that fall on hard ground are quickly found and eaten by the birds. They have no chance to thrive or even to sprout. Like God's whispers that we ignore, like those doors that are open but we do not enter, like the songs that are never sung. These seeds fall on a heart that is hard or blinded to the message. Yet where does the blindness come from? There are times we are blind to the message or the possibilities because to be open to them is just too complicated, too time consuming, quite honestly too much effort and we don't wish to cultivate our soil (our hearts) to prepare for the message or the harvest.

The seeds that fall on rocky ground sprout but they are not strong and they have no staying power. They quickly fade in the hot sun. The rocky heart is enthusiastic at first, open to the whispers from God but the strength of this faith fades quickly. It is shallow and does not stand a chance against the blazing sun of life. Remember earlier I posted about being a muser and whether this is somehow better than those with strong, simple faith. I repeat again that it is not better but it is what helps me cultivate the soil. It is what digs out the little pebbles and the big boulders and allows the roots of my faith to delve deeper into richer soil.

Some seeds fall on good soil but are amongst the weeds and thorns. They sprout but are quickly lost among the tangled brambles of life. There is faith but there is the allure of many worldly things. This is also where we hear the voices of others, questioning, causing us to doubt, casting us into the thorns of our own minds. It's easy to get lost on this path. One runs the risk of "unbecoming" quickly among the weeds of life. What we water, grows. Are we watering our faith or cultivating riches on earth?

Some seeds fall on the rich soil reaping the fruits of their faith. Seriously? It's not quite as simple as that now is it? Not in today's world. I've mentioned before that I believe in people taking an active role in the relationship with God, in growing their faith, and in striving to become the person God intends for us to be. This just doesn't happen because we "land" on good soil. Be that soil, a good family, an inspiring church or a life affirming event. There is an individual and personal role in creating rich soil. Again to me, cultivating the soil means reading, reflecting, living, questioning, seeking meaning and listening for the whispers. It is "learning the language of the soul" that I spoke of earlier. It is recognizing that a relationship with God is just like any other relationship. It takes time, it take patience, it takes commitment.

What are you growing? Fragile plants that wilt in the brilliant sunlight? Seeds that fail to germinate?  Plants that are anemic because their nourishment is sucked away by the weeds? Strong, healthy plants with roots that delve into the darkest, richer part of the earth and thrust toward the sky seeking light? It's your choice whether to cultivate or ignore the garden of your soul.

Hugs to each of you. May your gardens bloom with the colors of the rainbow full of light and love and strength.