Rich Soil
“Those sown on rich soil are the ones who hear the word and accept it and bear fruit thirty and sixty and a hundredfold.”
This Gospel gets me every time. Instantly, I start asking myself, am I bearing fruit? Am I rich soil? Or am I like the rocky soil? Or, God forbid - am I like thorny soil? Immediately, my mind starts whirling, and I become terrified that I’m letting Jesus down.
As I was praying about this passage and asking Jesus to reveal His heart to me, He reminded me that it was okay to let Him down. Sisters, we will let Him down - that’s unfortunate, but it’s inevitable. We sin, and that’s why He came to save us. He’s not surprised by our sin or our weakness. Sisters, we so easily fall into worrying about doing enough, being enough for Him. But that’s not how Jesus works. Jesus cares, first and foremost, about relationship because...
He’s first about love.
Yes - we’re called to do good and be good, and we’re called to reflect and grow in our weaknesses. BUT - we can’t forget what He’s all about. He loves first. His love fuels all that He does because that is who He is. He loves you, and He wants you to be united to Him and connected to Him. So, while it might be a helpful exercise to examine your heart by comparing it to soil - it’s okay to cast out the shame that pops up if you don’t think you measure up.
Sisters, rich soil is spending time with Him. Rich soil is loving Him. Rich soil is caring about Him. Rich soil is walking with Him. Rich soil is building your life around Him. So, rest in that today. If you’re reading this, you’re trying at least a little. And that’s what He wants - He wants you close to Him. He wants to love you. That’s what it’s all about. That’s what it’s been about from day one. So rest in His love and know that resting in His love will enrich the soil.
Father,
Thank You for Your mercy and Your love. Thank You for pouring into us - for making us rich soil - even though we fall and fail sometimes. Thank You for starting with love.
Help us to live in Your love. Help us to see Your hand in everything and to focus on what You say about us - not what we think.
God, we love You. You’re such a good Father to us. Please help us to walk with You and focus on Your voice all day today and every day. Amen.