Many times Jesus speaks of our lives as a field being cultivated to bring a harvest. In one account Jesus speaks in a parable and says our lives are like a field that was sown with the seed of God’s Word But the seed fell upon a field that was full of rocks and didn’t have much soiled and when the sun rose they were scorched. And since they had no root, they withered away. (Matthew 13:5,6)
Jesus explains this parable by saying in Matthew 13:20,21, As for what was sown on rocky ground, this is the one who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy, yet he has no root in himself, but endures for a while, and when tribulation or persecution arises on account of the word, immediately he falls away.
Living in East Texas for many years, I’ve watch farmers and ranchers clean their land, preparing it for livestock or planting. Piles of debris ranging from stones to trees are piled and removed from the land. Clearing the land isn’t easy and it doesn’t happen over night. It takes diligence.
I wonder how many of us (me included),after reading this parable ,is the man who receives God’s Word joyfully but the fields of our hearts are covered with useless debris that hinder God’s Word from really prospering in all the areas of our life God wants to impact?
For example, those rocks (and trees in that manner) could represent many things: the root of bitterness that has taken anchor deep in your life, the rocks of resentment, the rocks of idols (anything that takes more of your time i.e. career, family, social media). Those rocks and trees could represent anything. And because of the rocky field in your life you now find yourself wanting God to do great things in your life but somehow you don’t see a way that could happen. But it can!!
Agree with God with confession. Confess comes from two greek words - homo (same kind of) and logos (word). In other words, agree to say the same thing God is saying. 1 Corinthians 3:9 For we are God's fellow workers. You are God's field, God's building. It might sound like this after being still and asking God to reveal the stones and roots in your life.
“Father, I agree ___________ is a stone in my life that is keeping your word from fully and wholly taking root and prospering in my life. You said that if would draw closer to you, you would draw closer to me. Remove the stone and replace it with the fruit bearing seeds of your wonderful Word. In Jesus name. Amen”
As you agree with God you find yourself offering a field unto the Heavenly Sower, a field that is rich and ready to take the seed of faith to which it takes root and provides fruit suitable to please God. Matthew 13:23 As for what was sown on good soil, this is the one who hears the word and understands it. He indeed bears fruit and yields, in one case a hundredfold, in another sixty, and in another thirty.
