From an agricultural standpoint there are six recognized types of soil: sand, clay, silt, chalk, peat, and loam. Certain plants do better in certain soil types, and in many instances, there are seeds that just can't thrive in some soil types. Jesus shared a parable that sometimes get misinterpreted to be referencing types of soil, but actually, the parable of the sower and the seed is more about the type of ground on which the seed fell more than the soil type itself.
"Then he told them many things in parables, saying: “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." Matthew 13:3-8.
Over the next four weeks, we will be looking at each of the four types of ground Jesus referenced in the parable of the sower and the seed. Our goal will be to determine which type of ground / environment you are currently planted and how that may be impacting your life's purpose. Today, we will be looking at solid ground. In the parable Jesus describes the first ground as the path. Paths are created by heavy use and over time become compacted and hard. What chance does seed strewn on a solid surface have to grow? Zero. In the parable, the seed that landed on the solid ground ended up being nothing more than bird feed. Later in the same chapter Jesus explained that the seed that fell on the solid ground was like someone that hears the word of God, but turns away from it and doesn't try to apply it to his or her life.
Are you that solid ground person? Do you feel like life has trampled over you time and time again, leaving you hard and bitter? Whether it is due to a broken relationship, a life tragedy, or any form of addiction that is holding you down, once you have developed that hard heart it is a challenge to allow anyone inside. The solid ground persona can't see the potential for growth. Life has dealt you a hand and that is where you are going to have to live. But there is hope. “Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God." Psalm 42:11. Hope is not just wishing things will get better, the hope that the Bible teaches about is a belief system. We find hope in our relationship with God. That relationship is built not bought. "Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us." Those with a solid ground mentality can't see how things could ever be better, there is no hope present.
If you are living a "solid ground" life today, maybe it is time to allow God to cultivate your soul's soil. Hard times will come and sometimes they may even stay, but when you place your hope in God your perspective will change. Instead of looking at life as what is happening to you, you can look through the lens of what is happening through you for the glory of the God who made you and placed you exactly where you are today. Paul's words of encouragement in the face of hardships are a source of strength for those living within that solid ground mental state:
“My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore, I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong." II Corinthians 12:9-10
Till your soul with God's offer of strength in your weakness, and allow His seeds of perseverance, character, and hope flourish in your life. God's hope never fails!
Coach Carter
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