Yes, I know the traditional question asked in John Wesley’s class meetings was, “How is your soul?” This simple, soul-searching question would begin the gatherings and create fertile ground for honest confessions to open people up to God’s grace.
Last week I asked, “Do you have the Spirit?”, but this Sunday’s question will be, “How’s your soil?”
In our Gospel lesson from Matthew 13, Jesus tells about a farmer who carelessly sows seeds on all types of soil. We know that the “seed” is the life-giving word of God, but the fate of that seeds depends largely on the conditions of the soil where it lands.
Those ground conditions could be hard (impenetrable), rocky (superficial), thorny (preoccupied), or fertile (fruit-producing). Last week we talked about how we are given the fruits of the Holy Spirit, but for that fruit to grow and produce there must be good soil.
Just think of it. God wants to bless us with so many good things. Things like love, joy, peace, patience, goodness, kindness, gentleness, and faithfulness. Great things! However, our soil (souls) need to be open and ready to receive the gifts of the Spirit which includes salvation itself.
I pray Three Oaks will always be the fertile ground where God’s seeds can sprout and produce fruits in all who gather. So, how’s your soil?
Come and see,
Pastor Rob
See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland. Isaiah 43:19
