By Doug Creamer
Making Good Soil
Have you ever put in a new flower bed or vegetable garden? It is real work to break up the soil and prepare it for plants. After you do the initial tilling of the soil you have to get the grass and weeds out. Then you need to add soil to the space and till that in before you can think about planting. Adding fertilizer will help things grow, and then putting down some mulch will help to keep the weeds down.
No matter how hard you try, weeds are going to come back. My pastor did a gardening series a few years ago and brought in a flower pot with some weeds. That pot sat in our sanctuary which stays dark, it had no water, and at the end of the multi-week series the weeds were still alive. Vegetables or flowers would have been dead, but weeds endure. There are always weeds that need to be pulled from a garden or your plants will have to compete for resources, which can stunt their growth.
There are also weeds that grow in our spiritual gardens. What are some of the things that hinder our spiritual growth? I think it begins with our heart’s desire. What are we seeking? Are we looking for the comforts and pleasures of this world or are we seeking the Kingdom of God? Do we make our hearts a place that is welcoming to the Spirit or are we living to satisfy the flesh?
Being distracted by worldly pleasures is easy. It can slip in without us realizing it. Scrolling social media is inviting. There is nothing wrong with social media but if it steals our time and keeps us from the purposes of God then it is a distraction. Having the news on all the time is very unhealthy for our spirits.
There are many other things that can distract us and keep us from fulfilling God’s purpose for our lives. Distractions are weeds. When our lifestyle doesn’t line up with God’s expectations or our bad habits rule us then these become distractions, not only for us but those we hope to reach with our faith. When people don’t see any difference between the way you live and the way the rest of the world lives then you have some weeds in your life that are keeping you from God’s best for you.
How do we get and maintain good soil in our lives? When I think about my vegetable garden my soil always looks great from early spring through the beginning of summer. But when we get into late summer and every day in the 90’s with 100 percent humidity, then my garden suffers. The weeds take over. I don’t want to let my spiritual life to be like that.
Good spiritual soil requires taking in God’s Word. It’s not just reading it that makes the difference, we have to find ways to apply it to our lives. Reading and knowing God’s Word does not change us, it’s when we add faith to it that it begins to change our lives. That’s rich soil. Believing and trusting in God, especially during the difficult times, develops deep roots in the soil of our hearts.
Talking with God through prayer is the water that keeps our plants alive. Prayer is a two way conversation with God. We don’t just talk at God with our list of demands, we talk with God and listen for His voice and guidance. We have to listen for Him in the quietness. He will speak to us but we have to be listening. He wants to guide us through life’s ups and downs. That’s how you develop deep soil.
Another thing that will help you develop good soil is being involved in a local church and finding your unique way to contribute and serve. Being in fellowship with other believers deepens your faith and trust in God as you share life’s journey together.
I want to encourage you to examine your spiritual soil. Do you need to pull some weeds? Maybe you need to add some fertilizer or water to your soil. Do you see any fruit in your life? God desires that we produce fruit for His Kingdom. Seeking the Lord will help to deepen your spiritual roots so you can grow a stronger faith. God wants you to have a deep faith that can stand the test of time because life has many ups and downs. Life isn’t easy, but God wants to see you through your trials so you will have a testimony to His goodness and love.
Contact Doug Creamer at PO Box 777, Faith, NC 28041or doug@dougcreamer.com
