And immediately they sprang up, because they had no depth of soil. But when the sun had risen, they were scorched; and because they had no root, they withered away. Matthew 13:5-6
I’m a novice when it comes to gardening. I became diligent to give it my best years ago, after discovering that fruit, flowers and trees need the right conditions in order for them to grow. When planted correctly combined with good soil and diligent TLC, what a thing of beauty when the results are successful. When I’m in my garden, I often think of the parable of the soils.
Jesus spoke parables to help His audience understand spiritual truth by using everyday objects. In verses 5-6 Jesus is talking about those who seem to have immediate growth as a Christian, but the growth is only a surface level commitment. The soil is shallow and the growth is temporary. A deep root system never takes place and as a result when real life happens, they wither.
When a Roman soldier was told by his guide that if he insisted on taking a certain journey it would probably be fatal, he answered, “It is necessary for me to go; it is not necessary for me to live.”
When we have that kind of resolve, then God can truly make something of us. There comes a time for every believer when the Holy Spirit will search and examine our commitment to Christ. Usually this comes through dark days and disappointments. Another test is when the emotions that stirred us to say the sinner’s prayer have long since past. There’s also the challenge of duty, when obedience is beckoning us but our flesh is blinding us to what feels right rather than what is right.
We often begin our walk with Christ living by impulses and impressions. We are moved by a good sermon, a particular worship song speaks to our immediate situation, or we allow our feelings to be the thermometer of our decision making.
Great teaching and moving worship songs certainly have their place to encourage and uplift our souls to God. But we can never rely on our surroundings or for that matter or temperaments as Christians. Storms and sunshine, tears and triumphs are meant to take us and make us women who are rooted and grounded and bearing much fruit for our Savior.
“Lord, grow me in that deeper soil and save me from a shallow life, for Christ’s sake.”