Mark 4:20 20 But those that were sown on the good soil are the ones who hear the word and accept it and bear fruit, thirtyfold and sixtyfold and a hundredfold.” ESV
When we plant gardens, we seek for the best conditions we can and pay close attention to the condition of the soil; whether or not we understand it, the life of the garden is in the soil. Yes, there are other factors, sun, water, warmth; but the soil is very important for the success of the planting. So we toil to prepare the soil. We remove the weeds and the rocks; we fertilize and condition the dirt. The best of intentions in the worst of conditions does not a good garden make.
The best spiritual soil is the soil that is conditioned by listening, accepting, and obeying. The best conditioning for the soul is to never forget that God is always present no matter the situation or circumstance. The most fruitful is the one who never takes his/her eye off of God (or away from His presence) and faithfully, by his/her life (thought, word, and deed) clings to God. Sometimes the fruit of that is a crusade where hundreds are saved; other times it is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control; real-time fruit – real-time results. Fruit is to be consumed, not admired…
Conditioning soil takes know-how and time – oh, and perseverance. If the sum of my life on earth is to be fruitful (see John 15) then I can only imagine what heaven will be like…
Father in Heaven,
Touch me Lord that I may bear fruit for Thee – amen.
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