As I heard about Jesus’ teachings and miracles again in the book of Mark recently, gratitude filled my heart for the opportunity to walk out this life’s journey with our Savior.
Even though life can be painful, challenging, and frustrating at times, we have an excellent opportunity to experience it all with the Holy Spirit guiding us.
I said to myself, “I wouldn’t miss this for the world.”
Then, a sobering thought: Most people WILL miss this (knowing the Lord) for the world!
Pause and think about that.
I also taught our church’s Sunday School class on Mark 4:1-19 recently, focusing on the parable of the Sower. It explains why most people will miss knowing the Lord for the world.
Jesus told His disciples what can happen when God’s word is sown on various types of “ground” (hearts):
- Wayside ground: The person doesn’t care about nor understand the things of God, so Satan comes and snatches away the word sown in their hearts.
- Shallow/hard ground: The person receives God’s word with gladness at first, but because of shallow ground, the word can’t become rooted in them. They stumble and become uprooted the moment trials and hardships come.
- One of the benefits of our health journey is that it trains us to become people of resilence. We become as 1 Corinthians 15:58 says, “…steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.”
- Thorny ground: This person becomes so entangled in worldly cares and desires that it chokes God’s word within them and they become unfruitful. As such, they do not grow in love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (see Galatians 5:22-23).
- Good ground: The person receives the word, accepts it, keeps it, and bears fruit with patience (which implies the passage of time). Jesus said that the Lord is glorified when we bear MUCH fruit so that we will be His disciples. He invites us to cast our care on Him because He cares for us.
Think of it. Only 1 out of the 4 types bore Spiritual fruit from the word they heard (25%).
My husband Mike created the following image to illustrate this point. The green section illustrates the good ground.
Shocking, isn’t it?
As believers in Jesus, our heritage is to know the Lord and bear fruit for His glory. Think green for Spiritual growth!
For this reason, let’s attend to this privilege each day, ensuring that our roots in Him run deep (not shallow) and keeping our way clear (not entangled in worldly ways).
Kimberly Taylor
Author of the Take Back Your Temple program
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Kimberley, you are such a blessing to me! This is definitely a word in season for me. May the Lord bless you richly as you pour out into us! Xx
Thank you for that confirmation, Deirdre’! I pray that you continue to prosper as your soul prospers!
I love the thought you shared about our health journey helping us to become people who will endure. I have never thought of it that way before, it is inspiring. Thank you for sharing these words.
You are welcome, Deb – may you prosper and be in health as your soul prospers!
Thank you, Kim. This is a word in season. Lord, may I do what is needed to be good ground forever, amen!
Amen, Karen – I am agreeing with you in prayer!