The Beaten Path

"some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up."  Luke 13:4 NIV

This passage from the Parable of the Sower gives "the path" as the first example of a type of soil that the Word of God can land on. Is that because it is the most prevalent type of soil? A path is a well-beaten route, the usual way to get somewhere.  It can seem as the safest way as it is so frequently used. But this soil represents a heart that is very set in its way.  The person who always takes the same path and is unwilling to explore new ideas, may unfortunately be unable to even contemplate God's truths. In short order, wordly voices will clean up the seeds of salvation, leaving the path clear and smooth for the person to follow. He will not notice that anything ever lay in his way. He will continue on with his fellow sojourners who also are treading the path, making it harder and harder, more and more impenetrable.

I have areas of my life that are hard beaten paths and I pray that God will till up those areas so that they can grown spiritual fruit.  Lord, help me to see how I can dig up the paths that are leading friends and family to heart ache and distance from you.