Both the soil and the soul came to mind yesterday while I dug in my garden.
It’s my twelfth year digging up this raised bed.
As I turned over the soil, I pondered, “Why are there rocks in this bed after all these years of double-digging?”
The Holy Spirit responded quickly.
“Why are you still dealing with the same soul problems year after year?”
I thrust the garden spade into the dirt and shook my head. The Holy Spirit made a good point.
Jesus and soil
Matthew, Mark, and Luke all include a parable dealing with soil and the soul.
It’s a comparison, a metaphor that describes different faith responses depending on the quality of the soil.
Faith seeds that fall in rocky soil belong to one “who hears the word and receives it with joy. Yet he has no root in himself, but endures for a while, and when persecution arises . . . he falls away.” (Matthew 13:20 ESV).
In my garden, rocky clay soil makes it difficult for a seed to grow well.
(Other than bitter dandelions. They love to root around a rock–both in the yard and in my heart.)
But faith seeds flourish when they fall in good soil and the soul. Their roots spread, capturing water and nutrition, and thus grow into healthy plants.
What makes a good bed for planting?
Not all rocks are bad. Planting soil is good.
But, it doesn’t matter how easily the spade slips into the ground if the soil lacks nutrition.
I double-dig to mix good surface soil with the denser clay soil.
The good dirt aerates the clay, allowing the garden bed to better hold moisture.
That’s also true with my soul. I blend truth I’m learning from daily Bible readings with my old experiences of God at work in my life.
When I drop seeds of faith into my blended soul, my faith and trust in God’s promises grow.
How do I make the soil and the soul of my heart a place to plant God’s truth?
Ezekiel describes a solution:
He took some of the seed of the land and planted it in a fertile field;
He placed it by abundant waters and set it like a willow tree.
It grew and became a spreading vine of low stature;
Its branches turned toward him.Ezekiel 17:5-6 NKJV
Plant the seeds in fertile soil–soil prepared, nourished, and ready for seeds of faith.
Preparing the heart often involves confessing sin–digging up the rocks blocking spiritual root growth.
If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
1 John 1:8-9 NKJV
I dig up my soil and the soul, turn it over, examine it, and confess my rocky sins.
The garden bed of my heart feels fresher and prepared for my faith to flourish into life.
Worms aerating the soil, psalms feeding my soul, help sweet fruit to grow!
What’s God doing after all this work–in the soil and the soul?
Then I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you shall be clean. I will cleanse you from all your filthiness and from all your idols. I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you. I will take the heart of stone out of your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes. You will keep My judgments and do them.
When our hearts are prepared to receive what He has to say, then God can work.
And when He sends gentle rain, my garden can grow, too.
Thanks be to God.
Thoughts? Reactions? Lurker?