26
Sharpening Time!
Carl HigashiMatthew 13:13-15
13 This is why I speak to them in parables, because seeing they do not see, and hearing they do not hear, nor do they understand. 14 Indeed, in their case the prophecy of Isaiah is fulfilled that says:
'You will indeed hear but never understand,
and you will indeed see but never perceive. 15 For this people's heart has grown dull,
and with their ears they can barely hear,
and their eyes they have closed,
lest they should see with their eyes
and hear with their ears
and understand with their heart
and turn, and I would heal them.'
This portion of the parable of the sower and the seed got my attention this morning. As Jesus talks to His disciples, He explains the parable that He spoke to the crowds in a smaller group.
As he speaks to the crowd Jesus perceives that there are various types of people in the crowd. He tells the disciples why he is speaking in parables:
There is a dulling of people's senses that Jesus sees happening, where people who were able to see and hear are spiritually blind and deaf. They have become spiritually dull. Their hearts are at the core of this spiritual dulling. They have given their hearts to something other than fully over to the love of God!
Thank you Lord for your constant reminders that in this season of rest, there is nothing that You want more from me than my whole heart. As I spend more and more time with You, my soul is restored along with my heart being brought back into alignment with the heart of You.
Heavenly Father, I give you full authority to correct me at anytime and thank you for catching me before I become spiritually dull. As a dull ax needs increased the effort to fell trees, I have been chopping trees using too much effort.
Keep me from being anxious from doing, but instead take the time to sharpen my spiritual ax, spiritually able to see and hear what You are doing and asking of me. I must take time to allow for sharpening to be done well so that when it is time to harvest the forest, the chopping will come easy!
Love you Lord, thank you for your grace to slow me down in this season of ministry. Now, may you sharpen me by your word and your Sword of the Spirit.
In Jesus name I pray. Amen.
