Today, the parable of the sower and the soils comes to mind:
1That same day Jesus went out of the house and sat beside the sea. 2 And great crowds gathered about him, so that he got into a boat and sat down. And the whole crowd stood on the beach. 3 And he told them many things in parables, saying: “A sower went out to sow. 4 And as he sowed, some seeds fell along the path, and the birds came and devoured them. 5 Other seeds fell on rocky ground, where they did not have much soil, and immediately they sprang up, since they had no depth of soil, 6 but when the sun rose they were scorched. And since they had no root, they withered away. 7 Other seeds fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked them. 8 Other seeds fell on good soil and produced grain, some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty. 9 He who has ears, let him hear.”
Matthew 13:1-9
Later, he explains it:
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 has been sown in his heart. This is what was sown along 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 he has no root in himself, but endures for a while, and when tribulation or persecution arises on account of the word, immediately he 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 deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and it proves unfruitful. 23 As for what was sown on good soil, this is the one who hears the word and understands it. He indeed bears fruit and yields, in one case a hundredfold, in another sixty, and in another thirty.”
Matthew 13:18-23
I try to be mindful of the effects of emotion on my thoughts and faith. I want to experience God’s love, but I want to be careful that I don’t confuse every moment where I’m feeling particularly good with God working in my life. I mean, if I did that, then what explains those times when I don’t feel so hot? I’m of the mind that God is working on me all of the time, and that it’s me that’s muddying things up. I can be thankful for the good times, but also for the bad.
And so I think about the parable of the sower and the soils. Maybe not the seed sown on the path (if anyone gives serious thought to this, the seed on the path is probably not their deal), but what about that sown on rocky soil? We Christians have all been there, haven’t we? Things started out great, but now? Not so much. And maybe we can get frustrated or angry with God. Doesn’t that sound a little rocky? The new Christian should be fired up, but we can’t really stay that way, can we?
With me, it’s more about the weeds. I sometimes wonder if I’m letting them grow up and choke my faith. There’s a lot going on, and sometimes I forget to take the time to turn to God. And then there are the times that I get into God’s word and it nearly breaks me. I want so much to go somewhere where I can do it – where I can get it. It’s that word that’s on the tip of my tongue. I know it. It’s right there. But it’s just out of reach. I have to step back or I’m overwhelmed.
And yet, He doesn’t go anywhere. Things to me may be a bit higgledy-piggledy, but to him? There is nothing too great for him, and I’ve got to remember that.
And so maybe I’ll turn on some quiet, worshipful music and it’ll remind me. It’ll calm me and put me in a moment of prayer and reflection. It rights my mind. It makes me think, “Hey, this is it. I’m onto something here.” But it isn’t me. The day may be pummeling me, and yet when I center myself on God without trying to do anything but rest in him, I get the real thing and find that rest.
