How is the depth of soil in your heart? The parable in Matthew 13 tells us that some seed fell where plants sprang up quickly because the soil was shallow. The plants withered. The field didn’t bear the promised crop.
I was reading about the importance of maintaining the soil of my heart in Streams in the Desert by L. B. Cowman, updated by James Reimann, and came to this quote:
When a Roman soldier was told by his guide that if he insisted on taking a certain journey, it would probably be fatal, he answered, "It is necessary for me to go — it is not necessary for me to live." That was true depth of conviction, and only when we are likewise convicted will our lives amount to something. But a shallow life lives on its impulses, impressions, intuitions, instincts, and largely on its circumstances. Those with profound character, however, look beyond all these and move steadily ahead, seeing the future, where sorrow, seeming defeat, and failure will be reversed…
Then in my Through-the-Bible reading in Ezekiel today, I came to 28:2, [the Lord speaking], "In the pride of your heart you say, ‘I am a god: I sit on the throne of a god in the heart of the seas.’ But you are a mortal and not a god, though you think you are as wise as a god." In the margin I discovered this commentary note:
Pride is a sneaky thing. It can masquerade as something more acceptable-sounding, such as self-reliance, independence or self-confidence. Pride infiltrates your heart, and before you even realize it, you may be making decisions without asking God for guidance first…
These readings caused me to step back and ponder how to recognize true depth of conviction regarding the path I follow in obedience versus when it could be pride masquerading as confidence in me rather than in God. And I want to make certain I’m not in that shallow place, living on impulse, intuition, instinct, and circumstances.
Cause my roots to grow deep, Lord. Plant me in fertile soil. Hide Your word in my heart, and help me turn to You in matters both large and small. Remove any sneaky sources of pride and keep me reliant upon You and Your truth. Amen.
In the grip of His grace,
Robin
