Soil preparation

Matthew 13: 18 - 23

...the one who received the seed that fell on good soil is the man who hears the word and understands it...he produces a crop

The seed in this parable contains the life-giving message of the kingdom. There is no defect in the seed sown by the sower. The different results come about because of the nature of the different soils. Whenever this parable is preached we are warned about the condition of the 'soil of our hearts' - that spiritual receptiveness is needed to ensure that when the seed of God's Word is heard, it will bear lasting fruit.

I wonder how we can do this in practice. It is good to be reminded not to be hard hearted, nor to receive the Word in a shallow fashion nor to allow competing priorities to choke out the Word. But apart from avoiding these negatives, how can we prepare the soil of our hearts in order to receive the seed well?

This is as usual a matter of spiritual discipline. It is so easy to get into a rut in our devotional lives that it often becomes embarrassing in a group to share about it. It almost seems like too private a matter for Christians to ask one another. But this should not be so, especially among spiritual friends, whom we give permission to enquire about our spiritual practices so that they can help us keep accountable.

The soil of our hearts needs constant tending to prevent hardening, drying up, and growth of weeds. Regular reflection will help us notice and deal effectively with the many priorities of this world that threaten to choke the young tender shoots. The soil of our hearts also needs a regular supply of nutrients: God's Word and prayer. The Word is not just to be read but to be chewed and digested so that its nutrients are released. Prayer involves lingering in God's presence, to experience the enfolding of his love and to listen to him, as he breaks down the hardness and refreshes the dry soil within.

All these practices require attention and perseverance. They are needed at all stages of our journey, whether we are just starting out or whether we have been long on the way. At the end of the day, we remind ourselves that we do all these because the fruit we bear will be a loving gift to our beloved Lord.