Tilling the Land of Your Heart
August 4th, 2009As you might recall, this is the first year my family and I have a garden. We have a lot to learn still, but we’ve gotten some good advice. It’s neat to see the plants growing, and to enjoy the fruits of our labor. Still, one thing is clear… we’re not master gardeners. Jesus wasn’t apparently a master gardener either—at least, not of the ground. He was and still is the Master Gardener of our hearts. Just as my family and I have received advice for our vegetable garden, Jesus offers advice for our spiritual garden. One of the most important parts of keeping a garden is the soil preparation and maintenance. Jesus’ advice is found in Matthew 13:18-23.
First, we need to break up the hardness of our hearts (Matthew 13:19). God’s word will have no effect on a hard heart. Just as seed will not grow on hard soil, God’s word will not grow in hard hearts. We need to break up our indifference, thoughts, and opinions to let God’s word be planted in our hearts. We must stop ignoring God’s word and thinking that we know what is best. Instead, we need to be quick to hear, slow to speak, and slow to anger regarding God’s Word (James 1:19).
Second, we need to refine our hearts by getting the rocks out. God’s word will have a brief effect in rocky soil (Matthew 13:20-21). They were quick to obey, but never really took the time to learn God’s word. As a result, when they face struggles they are quick to abandon their faith. We need to study the word and take it into our hearts so it will have deep roots. When we learn what it truly means to have faith and see the world from the perspective God wants us to see, then we can accept the ups and downs of life. Then, we can have boldness and stability even when persecuted.
Third, we need to remove the weeds of our hearts (Matthew 13:22). God’s word will have little effect on some. The word is received but its reception is doomed because the weeds have not been removed. If we try to follow God’s word, but are constantly worried about material things or have set our hearts on obtaining riches God’s word will be choked out. We need to remove worry and worldly desires to give God’s Word room to grow in our lives.
A prepared heart will produce just as the good soil in Matthew 13:23 produced every time. It will produce fruit in your life and the lives those around you each and every time, if you have put in the work and made the commitment to obey God. Our hearts must be prepared and maintained for God’s word to grow.
