If the Kingdom of God is a seed, what kind of soil must we plant in?
This retelling of an old parable may help.
“A gardener spent a long, spring day sowing seeds for future delight.
As she sowed, some seeds fell along well-worn paths. It was quickly eaten or trampled.
Other seed fell on soil mixed with rocks. The seeds sprouted for a day or two. But the harsh sun and shallow soil left it burned to a crisp.
Other seed fell among thorns, weeds, and all sorts of invasive plants long untouched. Before long, the seeds were choked out by these dominant forces.
Other seeds fell on rich soil. They grew into indescribable beauty, and left generous seeds for future seasons.”
If you have ears to hear, then hear!
The gardener sows the seeds of the Kingdom of God.
The well-worn path is a diseased imagination, which is habituated to sin and trampled by disordered desires.
The rocky soil is a limited imagination, which only receives the seed for a moment, when it appears to align with one’s manufactured borders. But the bright rays of sun - which cannot be controlled, manipulated or spun - inevitably expose the lack of depth.
The thorny ground is a violent imagination, which will lust for every square inch of our fidelity and convince us the seeds wouldn’t have grown anyway.
The rich soil is a redemptive imagination, which dares to believe that love, justice, and restoration have a place in this world. It produces beauty and wonder today and multiplies many seeds for the future.
Comments
Nothing yet. Say the first thing.
Sign in to join the conversation.