Soil’s Condition
Mark 4:20 ASV
(20) And those are they that were sown upon the good ground; such as hear the word, and accept it, and bear fruit, thirtyfold, and sixtyfold, and a hundredfold.
There is something precious about the soil that is ready to bear fruit. It has been prepared long before the seed is placed inside of it. It’s of the right density, moisture content, and chemical nature that make it an ideal place for productive life to take place. Where once it might have been rocky and hard, the caring hands of its gardener have removed dense and unreceptive rocks and debris. The right amount of moisture has been applied so that it can be opened by the plow without being stuck to it. It has been broken and treated with nourishing chemicals that not only make it a healthy environment for the desired results, but also inhibit the sprouting of undesirable weeds and thorns. And then, open and vulnerable to whatever might come its way, the seed that has been designed and purposed by the farmer is placed beneath it, hidden first so that its glory may be revealed later. The birds and harmful insects and weeds are refused from stealing and destroying the seed’s life and potential by the watchful eye, tender hand and prohibitive presence of the farmer.
Though there will be a wonderful production of life-giving fruit that will bring sustenance and financial rewards, it will always be the result of the soil’s condition above the seed’s content or volume. Safely making it all the way to harvest time will have everything to do with direct exposure to the loving care of the farmer each and every day. Even one day of exposure to harmful creatures, elements, or dryness can diminish the rate of growth and final results. Only where the farmer has been given continual access and uninterrupted privileges will the soil’s condition be kept in fruit-producing condition.
I’m glad there is a loving Farmer with a whole plan of production for the soil of our lives. He is the most experienced and equipped care-giver and with Him we can be certain the harvest will be a great one. Through hardness, drought, attempted robbery, counterfeit and distracting conditions exposure to His touch and presence will preserve, protect and nourish through maturity and fulfilling effectiveness. By allowing Him full access to the field of our heart, we’ll not have to try to somehow care for our own soil’s condition; it will be tended by the Master’s touch. We’ll not even have to somehow attempt to make sure the right type or amount of seed is within us either. He will bring with Him the words of life that will produce in us according to His plan and His purpose. Ours may not be the same produce as some other field, but as long as our Father is the passion, the means and the care of our soil, its fruit will be exactly as it should be. Under His ministrations it will remain soft, broken, nourished, moist, pure, and more than receptive to the productive power of the seed He’ll place there.
At whatever season our soil is in, there is a purpose for it this day in the hands of our Father. May He have unhindered and uninterrupted access to every moment of its vulnerability, and may it be ready and receptive to whatever He might place beneath it. And, may those precious seeds that have already gone into it be given all they need to grow and mature under His watchful care.
