Laying Down Roots

                Both my husband and I seem to have commitment issues when it comes to what town we want to live it (or even what house!). Before we were married, I moved 8 times in 16 months all within the same town. After being married, we have carefully avoided making any long-term commitments to the towns we have lived in because we are just not sure if this is where we want to stay.

                This morning we read the very familiar parable of the sewer in Matthew 13. In the parable, Jesus describes seeds (representing the Word of God) being planted in a variety of places (different people’s lives). In most places—among rocks, weeds, and a path—the seed die. The only seeds that survive are those planted among good soil. When we came to the end of the parable, he said, “Be careful where you lay your roots!” and I realized that I had never considered that I had any control over how the plant in my life grew. I had always read this passage and thought that the difference in how the Word of God grew in each person’s life depended on what happened to them right after they heard the Word. I thought that the one who was choked out by weeds was someone who had negative influences in his life. Today I realized that whether or not the Word of the Lord grows in someone’s life is not based on where they are, but how they allow it to penetrate their heart.  Jesus is talking about allowing God’s word to grow deep into your heart instead of staying in your mind or on the outer parts of who you are. Do not allow the word He speaks to become a passing thought, but allow it to penetrate and lay roots in your heart so that no one can remove it.

                I also noticed at the end of this passage, when Jesus explains the parable, He says the seeds planted in good soil will produce 100, 60, or 30 times what was sown. If I have not spread the Word of God to others in my life, can I really consider myself to be a “good soil”? I have always assumed that I was the “good soil” in this passage, but do I see the Word of God spreading to those around me? Do I have trouble committing to the word of God like I have trouble committing to a location? Jesus doesn’t say that the seed may grow and be strong and not spread. He says if the seed is on good soil, it will multiply.

                Lord, please help me to be better about sharing Your Word to others in my life. Help me to follow your guidance and allow your Word to change who I am and penetrate deeply into my heart. Amen.