Devotion = Preparation

Luke 8.11b: The seed is God’s word.

The seed is NOT the problem. It is the soil that needs attention.

The success of God's Word and His Kingdom in us has everything to do with the 'soil' of our lives. Jesus described four different types of soil:

1. Footpath
2. Rocky
3. Weedy
4. Good

The footpath speaks of unprepared soil. It is not conducive to plant life simply because it is compacted and unbroken and the constant presence of "traffic" prevents it from ever being so. It has not been made into a garden spot and is unable to receive and contain moisture and nutrients necessary for seed germination and plant growth.

God's Word will not produce in our lives if we do not first stop the traffic, and secondly, prepare our hearts.

The rocky soil, even if set aside and broken up, also speaks of unpreparedness. Once a garden spot is selected and the ground is broken, the next step is to deal with sub-surface rocks which are usually not evident until the ground is broken. Rocks are nothing but work. Moving them, breaking them, or even constructing with them all require work, effort, toil and sweat. Rocks are NOT evil in and of themselves - but they are what they are...rocks! Rocks hold no essential moisture or nutrients which the plant must have not only to grow and thrive, but also to face drought. Getting rid of non-contributing rocks is giving space for moisture and nutrient contributing soil in which the seed may thrive. Rocks may not have to be discarded but only put aside where they may still be used constructively.

Spiritually speaking, God's Word will not produce temptation resistance in our lives until we remove or set aside the "stuff" (rocks).

Weeds... Well, once again, without constant attention (ongoing preparation) weeds will take over and the soil will not sustain the life of the growing plant. Weeding is a difficult task - especially if not kept up with. A daily routine of weeding is the best and most effective method. Weeds, unlike rocks, take moisture and nutrients away from the plant and are indeed harmful in and of themselves. Also unlike rocks, weeds cannot be used for anything constructive. The only thing to be done with weeds is to pull them and destroy them.

Spiritually speaking, weeds in our lives could be worry, hate, envy, lust, anger, jealousy, fear, etc...

The good news is that any soil can be made good! Obviously, some soil will take more work to prepare than other soils, but the fact remains - ANY effort to prepare it will always improve it. Good soil has simply been made good by dedicating it as a garden spot, tilling the soil, removing rocks, and constantly weeding.

True devotion to God will (in every instance) require constant preparation of the soil of our hearts. It would make sense that the more we prepare, the better the harvest...

Father, thank You for allowing me to review this progression of soil preparation as it compares to true devotion in my life.