DUNAMI

The Soil of my heart...

In the parable of the Farmer who scatters seed in Mark 4:10-20, Matthew 13:10-23 and Luke 8:4-15, Jesus lists three kinds of Soil upon which the Seed, representing the "message of the Kingdom (Mt 13:19)" or "God's word to others (Mk 4:14)" fell on:
1. The Footpath - which lacks any impact whatsoever
2. Rocky Soil - those hear the message with joy - but lack any roots, so it doesn't grow
3. Among Thorns - the message is heard, but it's choked out by the worries of the world
4. Good soil - the message is heard, understand, and acted upon.

Many things could be said about this parable. For instance, how our words don't seem to be 'heard' when we share something of importance. Have you noticed that in different situations, people respond differently to the same message that you may have said multiple times? I've found that the soil of people's 'receptivity' is different, no matter the message. Interestingly, this parable is talking about a specific message; the message of God's kingdom, God's word to others.

This makes me think of my brother. He has been in the hospital for almost three weeks. He has had a respirator on and can't talk. Only until recently was he cognitive! (This picture shows him on a rotating bed that he was on last week) .
Immediately, I think of how difficult situations; humbling situations; softens the soil of hearts - that is, that in truly personal dilemmas, I'm much more apt to listen. This is the case with my brother - yesterday, a good friend, Bryndon Preston, came by to read to my brother. My brother has been a good listener - but much more of a 'doer' - even some of my fondest moments have been when we're doing something together (snow skiing and hiking comes to mind). So not to say that he doesn't listen, but I can't remember a time when he listen to someone read to him - and this wasn't just any reading - Bryndon was reading from a Max Lucado book, Facing Your Giants. This is a message about faith, a message about God's kingdom. Bryndon kept asking if my brother wanted him to keep reading, and he just kept nodding - I guess this went on for a couple of hours!

Interestingly, that same day, the my brother was taken off the respirator! As if this soil; listened, took root, and action! I was on the phone with my dad at the time, I could hardly believe it!

I'm finding myself asking questions of:
- How do I listen to God's message?
- What does the soil of my heart look like?
- Does it lead to action and change?
- What are the "giants" in my life?
- What "messages" am I listening to about those "giants"? What would faith look like for me in those situations?

Labels: brian, brother, faith, God's word, kingdom message

posted by Gman and Julz @ 11:22 AM