The number one longing that I hear from Christians is this…. to regularly hear from God. Without God’s voice speaking directly into their lives, they feel lost, dry and lacking spiritual passion.
Does that sound like you?
There is something amazing and rejuvenating when God drops a word into your soul.
It is always on target.
It is always at the right time.
It is always truth.
But what if it’s been a while since you have heard God speak?
There are many reasons why but I want to focus on one with you.
The soil of your soul.
Just like a garden or a farmers field, the soil is the one of the most vital factors in producing a great crop or beautiful flowers. What’s in the soil and the environment around the soil determines growth.
How’s the soil of your soul?
Join me and let’s discover together the soil condition of our souls…
What’s Your Soul Soil Like?
Type One: Compressed Soil
There is no breathing space in this soil. It’s packed down real good. So compressed that it has become a path that people walk over.
No room for air.
No room for any seed to settle down and germinate.
The seed just sits on top, perfect for a bird to spy, swoop and steal.
God has spoken, the seed has been sown. But the soil of our souls are compressed and the word lays on the surface, vulnerable to be picked up by the enemy of our souls and taken away.
Oh, how many lost words from our Heavenly Father have there been?
The word has been spoken but it’s like water off a duck’s back.
No attention has been given to it.
It’s not written down.
It’s not pondered.
It’s not chewed upon.
It’s not prayed.
We may be present, sitting there reading the Word, but was it a chore to be ticked off? or a ‘get-to’ to delight in?
The remedy? change the soil and make it breathe again.
Mix in organic material. Loosen it up.
Read over past words received.
Read biographies of real believers who faced tough times but kept leaning into Him.
Create sacred space before your read the word. Don’t rush in. Sit a while first and listen to the indwelling presence of God.
Type Two: Rocky Soil
This soil is slightly better than the compressed soil. There is more room to breathe. The seed is received down into the soil and starts to grow. But there are many stones and rocks in the way giving little room for a strong root to be established. When the sun beats down, the poor little rootless plant withers and dies.
The word has been sown and received. It’s growing but there is no strong root.
Everything can look good for a while. Life is rosy. Good words are being received.
But then, trouble arrives. Doubt and discouragement enter. Did God really say that?
Faith and prayer are left on the shelf and we try to live through in our own strength, thinking that God is silent.
Remedy? Dig. Out. The. Stones.
The root of the word needs room to grow. This is where the water and nutrients are stored for the tough times ahead.
When a word is received from God, notice any resistance in your soul. Work with the Holy Spirit to resolve the conflict otherwise the word will not survive the beating hot sun.
Surrender the resistance over to God. Ask Him to deal with the stones. Be open and teachable for God to do a work.
Type Three: Thorny Soil
This is good soil. The seed is sown into loose nutrient rich soil. It grows. But it’s crowded. There are thorns and weeds popping up everywhere among the good plants. Sometimes it feels so suffocating.
Everyone contesting for the soil’s nutrients.
The good word is growing in your soul but so are many other words.
Anxious thoughts.
Worldly cares.
Money worries.
Godless desires.
The good word is choked.
Remedy? Pull. The. Weeds.
This is a daily removal of contrary words.
It’s hard thirsty work. But we are not alone, Jesus is offering rivers of living water to quench our thirst. (John 7:37-39)
Every thought or word that chokes your faith. Pull. It. Out.
Type Four: Good Soil
Ah good soil. It’s rich with nutrients.
It’s deep and loose.
Free from thorns, weeds and stones.
The seed dives in, takes root, grows high and fruits.
Succulent, nourishing fruit.
Useful to feed others.
This soul soil is highly receptive to the voice of God. A relationship is cultivated daily. There is an intimate abiding taking place.
Words are received and nurtured. Written down. Pondered. Prayed over. Resistance is worked through. Thoughts are taken captive and brought into obedience with the word.
Worries and cares are cast at the feet of Jesus.
Fear is washed away by the Father’s love.
The Gardner is invited in to prune and fertilise.
The result is all to the glory of God.
(Inspiration from the Parable of the Sower found in Matthew 13, Mark 4 and Luke 8).
So friend, how is the soil of your soul? Don’t give up. The Gardener of your soul is right here to help. He knows what needs to go. He cares about you deeply and desires to cultivate deep truths into your life. Let Him do his work. Be vulnerable and repentant.
Keep leaning into him….
This Week’s Resources:
~~ Take some time out this week to ponder the Parable of the Sower. You can read it here in The Message version (just for a change).
~~ Episode 128: Use Your Reimagination from The Next Right Thing Podcast – (11 min) I love Emily P Freeman’s short podcasts – they really make me think and reevaluate and this one does that again. What you dreamed of doing this year probably looks a lot different. Emily invites us to reimagine a different way forward. #Thenextrighthing #EmilyPFreeman
~~ Loving this song this week Beautiful Day by Jamie Grace
Leave a Reply