BUILDING MARGINS

The goal of God’s Word is to bear fruit in our lives that will bring glory and honor to His name. The “Parable of the Sower” (Luke 8:1-15) teaches us that our hearts must be prepared to receive the seed that is the Word of God. If our hearts are not prepared the seed will not take root. There are any number of things that can hinder our hearts from being prepared.

The parable states that some seed fell along the path were it was trampled underfoot, and the birds devoured it (5). Some of the seed fell on rock, and as it grew up, it withered away because it had no moisture (6). Some of the seed fell among thorns which ultimately choked it (7). And some seed fell on good soil and grew and yielded a hundredfold (8).

Christ continues by telling us that the seed that fell on the path are those who have heard, but the devil comes and takes away the word and they are not saved (12). The seed that fell on the rock is those who hear the word and receive it with joy, but do not allow it to establish root. When a time of testing comes, these people fall away (13). The seed that fell among the thorns represents people who hear the word, but the cares, riches, and pleasures of life keep them from maturing (14). The good soil are those who hear the word, hold on to it and ultimately produce fruit.

Clearly the stakes are high. We must take care not to allow the affairs of this world to crowd the word of God out of our lives. We must build margins into our lives. Margins that allow time for God. This time must be devoted to the reading of His word, the consideration of His word, and prayer. If we do not allow this time, we run the risk of having a heart that is too busy, too hard, or too crowded for God. Make time for God so that your heart is prepared to receive His word.