Scattering Seeds

Mark 4:5-6 (NKJV)

Some fell on stony ground, where it did not have much earth;and immediately it sprang up because it had no depth of earth. But when the sun was up it was scorched, and because it had no root it withered away. 

Scorched and withered....

When I read those two words the pain I imagine can not equate with the reality of the pain one would feel of having a part of their body scorched. Nor can I fathom the pain of someone who is withering away from a torturous illness. Just as our flesh can become scorched and our bodies can wither away so can our spiritual lives if we allow the seeds of our faith to be planted upon stony ground. A plant, flowers and trees need firm roots buried deep within the richness of the earth's soil to grow strong. I too need strong roots buried deep with in the word of God to maintain my spiritual growth. Shallow roots of faith have no substance to cling to the promises of God. They hold on for a short time only to fall away just as quickly as they sprung up. 

Jesus explains the meaning of His parable in Mark 4:16-17. The Passion Translation reads, " The seed sown on gravel represents those who hear the Word and receive it joyfully, but because their hearts fail to sink a deep root into the Word, they don't endure for long. For when trouble or persecution comes on account of the Word, they immediately wilt and fall away."  

Fall away.......

I can not grasp the very idea of falling away from Jesus. I. Can. Not. But I have. And not intentionally. Let's back up a minute. When a seed is planted, it must be taken care of diligently. It requires the perfect soil with the right nutrients, and watered daily. As it grows it must be pruned of any dead leaves or branches to give it the best environment to mature to its fullness. The same goes for my walk of faith. For my spiritual seeds to grow, I too must be planted in good soil, Godly soil. . Watering myself daily through prayer,reading the Word and allowing the Lord to remove any dead things that would hinder me is my best spiritual environment for growth.  However, when I choose to become complacent in m in the my study time, or allow the busyness of life to hinder my prayer time or rebel in my pruning process, in a sense I am falling away. Why? Because my roots are no longer thriving but simply existing. I am not turning away from Jesus but my roots are losing their depth. 

To bear good fruit I must always be planted in good soil. My heart must stay open to receive the Word. Jesus tells us in Mark 4: 20 " But the seed sown on good soil represents those who open their hearts to receive the Word and their lives bear good fruit- some yield a harvest of thirty, sixty, even one hundred times more than what was sown." (TPT)  Receiving the Word of God is what keeps the growth of my roots immersed with strength. A seed which yields tenacious roots will also bear much fruit; a harvest of plenty.

Colossians 2:7

Your spiritual roots go deeply into His life as you are continually infused with strength, encouraged in every way. For you are established in the faith you have absorbed and enriched by your devotion to Him. (TPT) 

My hope is for the seeds I scatter to always fall on good ground and the depth of my roots remain deep-seated causing me to never wither away under the scorching heat of  life's trials and tribulations. I want the substance of my faith to endure, to stand, and to forever cling to my Jesus. 

Scattering seeds...............

Forever His daughter,