Soil good for what?
Fiona Reynolds
September 08, 2019
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Matthew 13: 18-23 (NRSV)
18 “Hear then the parable of the sower. 19 When anyone hears the word of the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what is sown in the heart; this is what was sown on the path. 20 As for what was sown on rocky ground, this is the one who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy; 21 yet such a person has no root, but endures only for a while, and when trouble or persecution arises on account of the word, that person immediately falls away. 22 As for what was sown among thorns, this is the one who hears the word, but the cares of the world and the lure of wealth choke the word, and it yields nothing. 23 But as for what was sown on good soil, this is the one who hears the word and understands it, who indeed bears fruit and yields, in one case a hundredfold, in another sixty, and in another thirty.”
It can be really hard growing plants and crops. This is partly because we cannot control some aspects of the process, for example, some plants are just naturally healthier than others. But it is mostly because different plants have different needs. Give one plant lots of water and it thrives. Give a different plant the same volume of water and it dies. It is the same with the soil: everything from pH balance to stickiness dictates which plants will thrive and which will die. Most folk know not to plant a seed on a path if they want it to flourish; very few know the perfect soil conditions for every kind of plant. It is often a matter of trying different things and being patient… always keeping a careful watch, as even plants can get too much of a good thing.
Tiller of our souls,
We hope we are fertile ground for your Word,
the right balance of humility and courage,
with a thirst for justice
and a heart full of compassion;
Give us the patience to wait longer than we might like
for the fruits of your Spirit to emerge,
Give us the wisdom to diversify in sources of inspiration
to enable us to grow into the fullness of your glory,
Give us the insight to realise we do not know it all
offering to you our weaknesses that we might be replenished,
brought into harmony with ourselves
with our neighbour
with creation
with you,
AMEN.
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