This spring I planted five new shrubs. At the time I was unaware
we would experience a drought situation in our area. In the beginning I kept
the plants watered but then I was away from home during the hottest portion of
the summer and the plants suffered greatly without the appropriate amount of
water to sustain them.
Recently I pulled up the five shrubs and threw them away. The
root structure of the plants was very shallow, having never become fully
established, making it easy to pull the plants out of the ground. Without a
proper root structure to provide the required nutrients the plants were doomed.
This reminds me of how very important it is to be deeply rooted
in the word of God so that we may experience proper growth and maturity. If we
are firmly planted in God’s word we will receive the vital nutrients needed in
order to thrive and therefore not be doomed to fruitless living.
In explaining the parable of the sower to His disciples, Jesus
said this: “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
13:19-23, NIV
When we are faithful and obedient to God’s word in our lives we
allow the Holy Spirit to move freely within us—teaching, guiding, and directing
our walk of faith. Feed on the Word and be obedient to it—walk worthy—grow,
mature, and be fruitful!
God bless!
