There are times I hear the truth but don’t want to believe it.  If I don’t open my mind and own it I don’t have to do anything about it, right?  I can just go on my way without having to change a thing.

Does this describe you?

Jesus talks about us in his parable of the sower.

The farmer scattered the seed, some fell on the path and the birds ate it up.  That’s you and me when our hearts are closed and we ignore the truth.

Some of the farmer’s seed fell on rocky soil where it sprang up but was quickly scorched and withered by the sun.

That can be you and me, too.  On those Sundays when the sermon we hear is right on target and hits home – do we let the truth change us?  When we watch a video broadcast and we get excited about what the Pastor is sharing with us – how much of that truth do we remember 1 hour later?  Do we remember anything about it beyond the next click on our phone?

Other seed fell among the thorns so they grew but were choked by the weeds.

Oh, yes.  That’s us.  God reveals truth to you and me and we think we get it and we make some temporary adjustments to our priorities and behavior.  But they become very temporary because other priorities squeeze to the top of our list and the changes don’t stick.  Our Bibles gather dust.  Lack of forgiveness and grace creep back in making us bitter instead of better.   Our lack of love sometimes makes it hard for others to love us.

But then there is the seed that falls on the good soil and produces a magnificent crop!

Isn’t that what you want your life to be?  I know that’s my goal.  I want to let the truth of God permeate my mind and my heart so that God can grow fruit through me – today and every day.

How about you?

Open my ears, Abba, so that I can hear.  Please open my heart and mind so your truth can make a permanent difference in my life.