The Truth Of Growing In Christ This Spring

We had our first spring storm last weekend, then a snow storm the middle of the week. Now this weekend it's almost 70 degrees, so I have the house opened up to air out. Welcome to March in Iowa, right?

We all look forward to the beauty and renewal that come with spring. If you're like me, you probably check the trees every single day, looking for buds and the very first shade of green. As much as I love the snow clinging to the branches of all our trees in winter, I'm beyond ready for warm days, light breezes and tons of Vitamin D from the sunshine.

It's our job to grow this spring, too. If we're not spending time in prayer and Bible reading every single day, it's like not planting our seeds in the ground, but we still expect them to grow up big and strong. It may sound ridiculous, comparing ourselves to stupid little seeds, but Jesus Christ Himself said we were ground, just waiting to soak up the seed of His word.

In Matthew 13, we read one of the longest parables Jesus told and one of the few He explained in such detail. He goes through the way side, the stony places and the thorns, where the word of God had no chance to root and grow and bless its hearers.

But he that received seed into the good ground is he that heareth the word, and understandeth it; which also beareth fruit, and bringeth forth, some an hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty. Matthew 13:23

Once we get rid of the stones, thorns and hard dirt in our hearts, we're able to dig up the good soil inside us and receive His word, understand it and be ready to bear fruit. But that's up to us. We can let all the junk of life grow up and make us bitter, hindering how Scripture can touch us and grow us and make us better instruments for God's use. Or we can clear out all the junk, get our hearts right with the Lord and willingly give Him our time and our love.

That's what spring is all about - fresh starts and new growth. The same God who works this truth in nature is waiting to work in our hearts and lives today, too. Are you ready to receive?

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