Finally, we’re at the good soil. It’s been a hard trek through the farmer’s field. My experience with improving my gardens in Texas has involved the removal of rocks and thistles and weeds. Digging deep to remove the root system was the only thing I found worked. In the end, my gardens looked beautiful. What I planted grew to it’s full potential. But, there was one plant that comes to mind right now. It grew way beyond the predicted height and width. That’s a plant in good soil.

So, how do we know if a seed lands on our good soil?

Mark, Matthew and Luke tell us that seed which falls on the good soil produces crop 30, 60, 100 fold.

Jesus explains that the message is not just received but held on to, applying it even when a tough or challenging situation arises. (Luke) When I think about how Jesus points out the expansive growth. It’s more than anyone expects to see. Remember, He can do more than we can imagine. (Eph 3:20-21) We just have to give Him good soil.

A point made in Luke is that perseverance is involved with the growth process. So when we receive a teaching that lands directly on our walk with Jesus – take it – dwell on it – make the needed changes in life. Continue to search for what it means. Plant seeds of the gospel, water it, watch it grow. It will take time to harvest, so wait patiently.

When we accept Jesus as Lord of our lives we want to be on His side of the game, on His side of Life, on the ultimate winning side. But internal change and improvement is not always easy. I’m here to tell you that if you let Jesus and the Holy Spirit help you work the ground within you, there will be more and more good soil. The rocky thorny places which the enemy of God continually brings to mind will cease to exist. The crop you grow for the Kingdom will explode more than you thought possible. Jesus can heal. He can do it. He is our hope.