invitation to a changed life

rocky soil

I have spent many days now turning the soil in my garden. I am racing against the clock as my seedlings are getting root-bound in my greenhouse. I have got to get them in the ground. Unfortunately, it isn't so easy as the soil is very rocky. As I am shovelling and raking, many of my neighbors lean over the fence and ask what we are cultivating. I reply, "Rocks." I have already gathered bucketfuls of rocks and they seem to be multiplying. I added compost and store-bought soil but it hasn't made a dent. So, I gave up and started raking out the furrows. I am now planting seedlings in rocky soil, hoping they will take. While gardening this week, I was reminded of how much this soil resembles my own spiritual life. The rocks are my sin, pride, simply me and my way. Many months ago I was meticulously picking out each rock so that I would be left with nothing but the rich fertile soil of Him who lives within me. But then I got bored and tired and distracted and the rocks remained and somehow multiplied, leaving my spiritual life, my precious walk on the path of God, to struggle taking root among the rocks. Thinking it would all end up OK, now I realize that these rocks do effect the outcome. Am I content with a weak and anemic harvest because my seedlings could not take root? Conversely, am I willing to fight for an abundant harvest and put the work in that is due? Consequently, if I am willing to put in this much effort for PEAS should I not be willing to put in, by order of magnitude, more effort for REDEMPTION?

As they went from town to town, a lot of people joined in and traveled along. He addressed them, using this story: "A farmer went out to sow his seed. Some of it fell on the road; it was tramped down and the birds ate it. Other seed fell in the gravel; it sprouted, but withered because it didn't have good roots. Other seed fell in the weeds; the weeds grew with it and strangled it. Other seed fell in rich earth and produced a bumper crop.
"Are you listening to this? Really listening?" His disciples asked, "Why did you tell this story?" He said, "You've been given insight into God's kingdom—you know how it works. There are others who need stories. But even with stories some of them aren't going to get it: Their eyes are open but don't see a thing, Their ears are open but don't hear a thing. "This story is about some of those people. The seed is the Word of God. The seeds on the road are those who hear the Word, but no sooner do they hear it than the Devil snatches it from them so they won't believe and be saved. The seeds in the gravel are those who hear with enthusiasm, but the enthusiasm doesn't go very deep. It's only another fad, and the moment there's trouble it's gone. And the seed that fell in the weeds—well, these are the ones who hear, but then the seed is crowded out and nothing comes of it as they go about their lives worrying about tomorrow, making money, and having fun. "But the seed in the good earth—these are the good-hearts who seize the Word and hold on no matter what, sticking with it until there's a harvest.
Luke 8:4-15