Narrative Lectionary Key Verse for Today
“Other seeds fell on good soil and brought forth grain, some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.”
NL Daily Devotion for Thursday, January 25, 2024
by R. M. Fergus, Clergy Stuff
Am I good soil? Of course we all want to believe we are—that we hear and understand God’s word, internalize it, and grow it in our lives, bearing fruit for the world. But there are times when I just don’t get it, times when I feel my faith withering in the face of adversity, times when the daily “have-tos” and distractions choke out the time for my spiritual practice. Does this mean the birds will eat my faith, my roots will die, or I’ll finally succumb to the cares and worries of life?
No.
Nothing is once and done in this life. It’s not like we achieve some perfect state of “good soil”-ness and from then on faith is easy for us. Faith is a process, not an event. And every time I find myself questioning the state of my “soil” is another opportunity for me to turn to God and ask for help infusing me with nutrients, water, aeration, and all the things I need to be ready to receive the guidance I need to address whatever is before me. We never have to be ashamed to find ourselves less than good soil for God’s word in any given moment.
When have I found my faith lacking? How has God helped me restore it?