With today's devotion, we turn to a new parable, commonly called the "Parable of the Sower," but perhaps better named, "The Parable of the Soils." The first soil in this parable is the hard path, trodden under foot. The message is directed to those who hear God's Word and have access to it, but who do not understand. It seems to be pointed at those who have the ability to understand, but are unwilling to take the time or put in the effort to do so. They hear, but that's as far as it goes. They don't take what they hear to a deeper level.
My seminary classmate and colleague, Dr. Rich Melheim, wrote confirmation materials in which he emphasized "from head to heart." It's one thing to learn some things about the Christian faith, it's another to move that knowledge from the head to the heart. Understanding seems to me to be a heart thing. It's to study and learn God's Word, but more importantly, move that knowledge, with the help of the Holy Spirit, to the heart. For that's where lives are changed, and God's Word begins to make a difference. I pray today God will give me a heart of understanding, and by so doing, God will use me to make a difference in the lives of others.
I think that we shouldn't assume that just because a scripture is familiar, we've mastered it. It is so important to look at each story/lesson/concept with fresh eyes over and over again and think of how we can apply it to our present situation. God always has something more to draw us closer to Him. This parable is timeless. I love the "head to heart" image! "Knowing" something does not mean we are living it.
ReplyDelete