Relationship

As I write this it is now February, the second month of the year. How are your New Year resolutions progressing or not progressing? Perhaps you began with a determination to be more intentional with your relationship with God. Or maybe you thought this is the year I will love more, worry less, go to church more, read my Bible more, and the list goes on and on. Did you begin with a genuine desire to grow in the Lord but feel you are right back on the crazy hamster wheel, going, going, going nowhere? I invite you to pause for a moment and look at a parable Jesus gave us.

“A farmer went out to sow his seed. As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up.  Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow.  But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no root.  Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants. Still, other seed fell on good soil, where it produced a crop—a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown.  Whoever has ears, let them hear.”

 “Listen then to what the parable of the sower means: When anyone hears the message about the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what was sown in their heart. This is the seed sown along the path. The seed falling on rocky ground refers to someone who hears the word and at once receives it with joy.  But since they have no root, they last only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, they quickly fall away. The seed falling among the thorns refers to someone who hears the word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke the word, making it unfruitful.  But the seed falling on good soil refers to someone who hears the word and understands it. This is the one who produces a crop, yielding a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown.” Matthew 13:3-23 (NIV)

This parable has deep meaning that if we heed it’s message we are assured to have a bountiful harvest. Many people hear the Word of God. There are messages on almost any subject that we can listen to through our computers or phones. There are countless songs we can easily access with the Word in their lyrics. We can go to church and hear sermon after sermon yet never have a harvest.

How many times have we heard a good sermon and think how good that sounds? We walk away determined to do better and live what we heard in the message. But sadly, usually, we are back the next week for the next message and all thoughts of the previous weeks sermon are no longer with us having been swallowed up with work, family, and just the busyness of life. But here we are again to love on Jesus a little and see what the preacher has to say. We are faithful to God’s house and we wonder why our harvest of good fruit hasn’t matured.

We know we need more love, more joy, more peace, more_____________. Do those things seem elusive? Impossible maybe?

Let’s look again at Jesus’ parable, “But the seed falling on good soil refers to someone who hears the word and understands it. This is the one who produces a crop, yielding a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown.” They all heard the message, some even saw how valuable it was and took it to heart. But the only way to understand the Word is by the Spirit (1 Corinthians 2:14). It is through that relationship that a harvest comes. Jesus was very clear about this as He spoke with His disciples just before He was crucified. In John 5 He told them, “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in Me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from Me you can do nothing.”

Did you notice Jesus said that not only would they bear fruit but MUCH fruit! The harvest comes through relationship with Jesus, talking with Him (not just to Him). Instead of trying harder why not invite the Lord to help you? Talk with Him about your journey but wait to listen to His response. He has a lot to say. Will you be one who listens?