Jesus told a story in Mark 4 about a farmer scattering seed. The seed fell on different types of soil and obviously had different outcomes. Some seed fell on a footpath, other seed fell on rocky soil, other seed fell among thorns, and other seed fell on good soil. When Jesus was done telling the parable his disciples asked him to explain the parable to them. Here was Jesus’ explanation:
“The seed that fell on the footpath represents those who hear the message, only to have Satan come at once and take it away. The seed on the rocky soil represents those who hear the message and immediately receive it with joy. 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. The seed that fell among the thorns represents others who hear God’s word, but all too quickly the message is crowded out by the worries of this life, the lure of wealth, and the desire for other things, so no fruit is produced. And the seed that fell on good soil represents those who hear and accept God’s word and produce a harvest of thirty, sixty, or even a hundred times as much as had been planted.” Mark 415-20 NLT
I wouldn’t be surprised that while you were reading the passage above you identified as one of the soil. And unless you feel you are good soil that could be discouraging. But I want to give you some hope today. No matter how you feel your spiritual condition is right now, it isn’t too late for you to be good soil.
God is in the transformation business and if you allow him, he can soften your heart, pull out the stones, and remove the thorns that are surrounding you. Let him in, let him begin to change you and see how the Word of God will grow in your life.
