What Soil am I?

After reading Matthew 13, I began to wonder what kind of soil I am. Jesus told this parable:

 “Listen! A farmer went out to plant some seeds. ⁴ As he scattered them across his field, some seeds fell on a footpath, and the birds came and ate them. ⁵ Other seeds fell on shallow soil with underlying rock. The seeds sprouted quickly because the soil was shallow. ⁶ But the plants soon wilted under the hot sun, and since they didn’t have deep roots, they died. ⁷ Other seeds fell among thorns that grew up and choked out the tender plants. ⁸ Still other seeds fell on fertile soil, and they produced a crop that was thirty, sixty, and even a hundred times as much as had been planted! ⁹ Anyone with ears to hear should listen and understand.”

At first, this parable can be confusing. How does scattered seed relate to the Kingdom of God? How can we relate to seeds? Fortunately, Jesus does not leave us hanging. He gives us a very clear explanation and from there we can reflect upon which seed we, ourselves, are.

¹⁸ “Now listen to the explanation of the parable about the farmer planting seeds: ¹⁹ The seed that fell on the footpath represents those who hear the message about the Kingdom and don’t understand it. Then the evil one comes and snatches away the seed that was planted in their hearts. ²⁰ The seed on the rocky soil represents those who hear the message and immediately receive it with joy. ²¹ But since they don’t have deep roots, they don’t last long. They fall away as soon as they have problems or are persecuted for believing God’s word. ²² The seed that fell among the thorns represents those who hear God’s word, but all too quickly the message is crowded out by the worries of this life and the lure of wealth, so no fruit is produced. ²³ The seed that fell on good soil represents those who truly hear and understand God’s word and produce a harvest of thirty, sixty, or even a hundred times as much as had been planted!”

The seed is the Word of God. The Word of God is sown into the hearts of the people, and from these seeds are grown one’s desire to live a life for Christ. But we alone cannot take credit for this growth, for growth only comes from God. As Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 3:6-7:

⁶ “I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God has been making it grow. ⁷ So neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow.

God plants the seed (by using a close friend, song lyrics, a beautiful day, and the list goes on and on), and God allows the seed to take root and grow.

God has planted the seed within me. I want to be the good soil and produce a good harvest. I want the word of God to enter into my heart and change me into a woman of God who serves, honors and loves God all the days of my life! I pray that God works wonders through me and that His seed is being nourished well and that a great harvest will be produced!  

²³ "The seed that fell on good soil represents those who truly hear and understand God’s word and produce a harvest of thirty, sixty, or even a hundred times as much as had been planted!” That is the kind of soil I strive to be. I want the seed to fall upon good soil, ready to nourish it and give it a good, safe place to rest and grow!

Which soil are you?