What Are You Cultivating?

As he scattered it across his field, some of the seed fell on a footpath, and the birds came and ate it. Other seed fell on shallow soil with underlying rock. The seed sprouted quickly because the soil was shallow.

Mark 4:4-5

WE LIVE IN A GENERATION THAT, for the most part, knows little about farming and agriculture, though we are heavily dependent on those who work the land. But since we know so little of the process, it is not unusual that we may sometimes misuse common terms that relate to farming.

We may hear people talk about cultivating crops. But the soil itself is what is cultivated, both in preparation for planting crops and in tending the crops as they grow. In a sermon at the Francis Asbury Society’s 2011 fall conference, seminary professor Dr. Victor Hamilton made the point that we cultivate the soil, not the crop. Dr. Hamilton then drew a spiritual parallel—we cultivate our hearts, preparing them to receive the seed of God’s Word. We then continue to cultivate the heart, allowing the Word to grow and thrive.

To keep our hearts prepared for God’s Word to grow requires a few basic things. The first is desire. If we don’t want the Word of God in our hearts, it won’t be there. Everything starts with desire. Second, we prepare our hearts by studying the Bible. And third, we prepare by communicating regularly with God through prayer and in worship. Only as these elements come together in our hearts will we have hearts where His truth can grow.

BOTTOM LINE

Cultivating the soil of your heart to make it more fertile for God’s Word is an ongoing challenge and a great blessing.

Moment of Strength: Psalm 51:10-13