“Some fell upon stony places, where they had not much earth: and forthwith they sprung up, because they had no deepness of earth:” ~ Matthew 13:5 

As a boy, growing up on a farm in rural Pennsylvania, our garden was vital to our well being. As our family grew, so did our gardens. Each Spring we would find ourselves with shovels, hoes, and rakes reworking the soil that had grown packed and hard over the long winter. As we expanded the borders, our shovels would often stop just a few inches from the surface as they struck some root or stone. With much effort we would labor in those spots to root out all such obstacles so that we had as much depth as possible for the seeds we would later plant to take root downward and bear fruit. 

Our Savior warned against the dangers of shallow hearts that lack depth. Such hearts may accept the truth of the Word of God, but there is no space in them for that truth to grow. Other things, lesser things, bar the seed from taking root and later on in bearing fruit. Stones of pleasure, popularity, or the praise of men prohibit the Word from getting deep in the heart where it can do its greatest work! Roots of bitterness, pride, and selfish concerns hinders the work of the Holy Spirit and prevents any lasting growth. 

It is with this mindset that David prayed, “ Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.”  

May God give us a spirit that seeks to break up the fallow ground in our hearts so that shallowness does not hinder our spiritual growth! 

Pastor Bish