Scripture of the Day: Matthew 13: 20-23
18 “Listen then to what the parable of the sower means: 19 When anyone hears the message about the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what was sown in his heart. This is the seed sown along the path. 20 The one who received the seed that fell on rocky places is the man who hears the word and at once receives it with joy. 21 But since he has no root, he lasts only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, he quickly falls away. 22 The one who received the seed that fell among the thorns is the man who hears the word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke it, making it unfruitful.23 But the one who received the seed that fell on good soil is the man who hears the word and understands it. He produces a crop, yielding a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown.”
Warning - this post is a little more personal than usual! The verses above are Jesus' explanation of the parable of the sower. They also do a pretty accurate job of describing my faith walk. When I read them I felt the need to do a little testimony, so here goes! Hang with me through this post, it's pretty "me" centered! Last year I did the Beth Moore bible study on the Book of James (that was actually the reason I started this blog!) As part of that study, we had to write a faith timeline, which also kind of goes along with those verses.
I had God on my radar the first 18 years of my life...I went to youth group in High School and I would have told you I loved the Lord. But really, in looking back, I was NOT getting the whole picture.
During my college years my life was that of the seed that was sown along the path. I didn't really focus on God at all. I recall having God in my mind sometimes during those years, but do not believe he was in my heart.
On September 25, 2005, I attended a non-denominational Christian church in Bloomington, bought a bible and a journal and was determined to fall in love with God. That was when the seed feel on rocky places. I was so happy and so ready...but I had no root, so that desire faded away. Faded away so far that I dated someone who was not the best for me and even got engaged. God was watching out for me even then, as thankfully, that wedding never took place.
On July 29, 2007, the seed finally fell on good soil (at the same church I went to in 2005!) After years of preparation, I was ready! It kind of sounds silly to me to say my eyes were opened, but they really were! I was thirsty for the bible and wanted to figure out as much about God as I possibly could. That thirst is NOT as strong as it was (because God is not addicting and he wants you to make a daily choice to follow/learn about him). The difference now is that when I don't make God part of my daily life, there is a noticeable hole. Prior to 2007, I never noticed that hole.
I don't claim to understand everything...but I get a little more each time I read the Word. I also don't claim to be producing a crop with a large yield. At this time, my only real goal is to teach my son all I can so that hopefully his life is mainly spent with seed falling on good soil. If he is my crop - I cannot ask for anything more.
No closing prayer here today. Thank you for reading this - this is my story :).
18 “Listen then to what the parable of the sower means: 19 When anyone hears the message about the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what was sown in his heart. This is the seed sown along the path. 20 The one who received the seed that fell on rocky places is the man who hears the word and at once receives it with joy. 21 But since he has no root, he lasts only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, he quickly falls away. 22 The one who received the seed that fell among the thorns is the man who hears the word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke it, making it unfruitful.23 But the one who received the seed that fell on good soil is the man who hears the word and understands it. He produces a crop, yielding a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown.”
Warning - this post is a little more personal than usual! The verses above are Jesus' explanation of the parable of the sower. They also do a pretty accurate job of describing my faith walk. When I read them I felt the need to do a little testimony, so here goes! Hang with me through this post, it's pretty "me" centered! Last year I did the Beth Moore bible study on the Book of James (that was actually the reason I started this blog!) As part of that study, we had to write a faith timeline, which also kind of goes along with those verses.
I had God on my radar the first 18 years of my life...I went to youth group in High School and I would have told you I loved the Lord. But really, in looking back, I was NOT getting the whole picture.
During my college years my life was that of the seed that was sown along the path. I didn't really focus on God at all. I recall having God in my mind sometimes during those years, but do not believe he was in my heart.
On September 25, 2005, I attended a non-denominational Christian church in Bloomington, bought a bible and a journal and was determined to fall in love with God. That was when the seed feel on rocky places. I was so happy and so ready...but I had no root, so that desire faded away. Faded away so far that I dated someone who was not the best for me and even got engaged. God was watching out for me even then, as thankfully, that wedding never took place.
On July 29, 2007, the seed finally fell on good soil (at the same church I went to in 2005!) After years of preparation, I was ready! It kind of sounds silly to me to say my eyes were opened, but they really were! I was thirsty for the bible and wanted to figure out as much about God as I possibly could. That thirst is NOT as strong as it was (because God is not addicting and he wants you to make a daily choice to follow/learn about him). The difference now is that when I don't make God part of my daily life, there is a noticeable hole. Prior to 2007, I never noticed that hole.
I don't claim to understand everything...but I get a little more each time I read the Word. I also don't claim to be producing a crop with a large yield. At this time, my only real goal is to teach my son all I can so that hopefully his life is mainly spent with seed falling on good soil. If he is my crop - I cannot ask for anything more.
No closing prayer here today. Thank you for reading this - this is my story :).
Comments
Post a Comment