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Aug 09, 2023 18:30pm

Which Soil Are You?

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As a 4th grader I remember looking to all the ”cool” kids that joined the band and carried around their instruments. It was just as popular as playing a sport at that age. So, when it was finally our turn, we jumped at the chance to join.

My sister had played the saxophone, so I was familiar with it and decided that was the instrument I would play, too. And I’m sure it had something to do with my friend Ashley making that her choice as well.

In band, there were lots of instruments but there were 4 types of people. One heard about the sign up and were interested, but for many various reasons and busy schedules, they never even made it to try-outs. Another joined with excitement, rented or bought the instrument and all the equipment, and but never really saw it through. Another was the student who had their instrument and for all appearances looked like a member of the band, but when it came down to it, they couldn’t play. They didn’t know the music or the notes. They had let other things take up their time and attention and away from their instrument. And then there was the real band member, the one who joined, practiced, and performed. It wasn’t always great at first, but their music got better and better.

Who was I?

I was that 3rd one. I had the saxophone and lugged that heavy case around everywhere. I went to band class weekly, but rarely practiced at home because I was too busy shooting hoops or talking to my friends or a boy on the phone. If we got new music in class, Ashley would write the letters above my notes. I could manage to squeak out a few notes here and there, but I always fumbled with where my fingers should be. It was okay for class and I just blended in with the group, hoping to not be singled out by Mrs. Whitener.

But then the day came where we were traveling to Cave City for a band competition. Everyone was excited! When we arrived, there were tons of kids walking around with their instruments. I couldn’t believe how many kids were there. They gathered us all to give us instructions and then gave us a number of a group we were in. I had assumed I would be in the same group with others from my school, but when they called my name, I was in group 3. And Ashley was not in my group.

Panic.

She went one way and I was led another. New music was handed out and we were taking our seats. What was I going to do?! I didn’t know how to read music!

Deep breath.

Just pretend like you’re playing, I told myself. No one will notice. But then, the leader told us we would each play a portion of the music and then be seated accordingly.

Sweat beaded on my forehead. Whatever I had for breakfast was about to make its second appearance. My heart raced and I knew I had to do something quickly.

I asked to go to the bathroom. Somewhere along the way I told someone I needed to call my mom, that my stomach was hurting too bad to stay. I faked having cramps and was a pitiful sight to see. I gathered up my equipment and went to sit outside to wait on her.

It felt like hours.

I realized I was not really a player. I couldn’t fake it anymore. I had let way too many other things take my attention away and now I was paying the price for it.

Jesus used a similar parable concerning a farmer and the soil where his seed landed to convey a message about people’s reaction to hearing the word of God.

Luke 8:4-8

“And when much people were gathered together, and were come to him out of every city, he spake by a parable: A sower went out to sow his seed: and as he sowed, some fell by the way side; and it was trodden down, and the fowls of the air devoured it. And some fell upon a rock; and as soon as it was sprung up, it withered away, because it lacked moisture. And some fell among thorns; and the thorns sprang up with it, and choked it. And other fell on good ground, and sprang up, and bare fruit an hundredfold. And when he had said these things, he cried, He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.”

Reading this, you might have questions to the meaning. It might be hard to understand. And you’re not alone! In fact, the disciples asked Jesus to explain about the 4 soils and He took the time to teach them.

Luke 8:11-15

“Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God. Those by the way side are they that hear; then cometh the devil, and taketh away the word out of their hearts, lest they should believe and be saved. They on the rock are they, which, when they hear, receive the word with joy; and these have no root, which for a while believe, and in time of temptation fall away. And that which fell among thorns are they, which, when they have heard, go forth, and are choked with cares and riches and pleasures of this life, and bring no fruit to perfection. But that on the good ground are they, which in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, keep it, and bring forth fruit with patience.”

Could you identify with one of these? Could you identify with one of the band player examples? That was Jesus’ point. We fit into one of these types.

“Way-side people, like many of the religious leaders, refuse to believe God’s message. Rock-hard people, like many in the crowds who followed Jesus, believe His message but never get around to doing anything about it. Thorn-patch people, overcome by materialism, leave no room in their lives for God. Good-soil people, in contrast to all the other groups, follow Jesus no matter the cost.”

This excerpt in my study Bible was a great summation to help us examine our own hearts.

So, which soil are you?

For many years I was just like my band self. I claimed to be saved when truly, I was too focused on things of this world to have any room for Jesus. My life was not surrendered to Him, and there was no fruit.

But today, thankfully, by His grace and mercy, I am part of the good soil. And there is nothing like it!

It’s not anything I did; it’s not because I’ve done a lot of good things or anything like that. It’s simply because I believe in Jesus and have surrendered my life to Him. He leads, I follow.

This morning, take the time to assess what soil you are and see what needs to change.