This month on the blog we have been exploring the idea of flourishing through the acronym “BLOOM,” and today we are looking at the first “O”: Open your heart to His word. Soil often is used in scripture to represent our hearts, and their ability to receive God’s word. Jesus talked about this concept in Mathew 13 through His Parable of the Sower. In these verses, we see the seed has fallen on 4 different types of soil, and in verse 9 we see that he who has ears to hear let him hear (be spiritually sensitive to) where the seed was planted. Seed, like the Word, is a living organism that, when spread and planted in fertile soil, produces abundant life.
While the Bible doesn’t necessarily use the word fertilization, we know the definition is to make fertile, to enrich or supply with nourishment for plants, to make fruitful or productive, as to fertilize land, soil, ground and meadows.
In Hebrews 4:12 we read, ”The word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.”
In this passage, Word of God refers to His revelation and the way He communicates with us. His primary way is through His written Word, the Bible. We learn in Scripture that the Word of God is alive and active—it not only lives but works. So, every time you and I pick it up and read it for ourselves, He is speaking directly to us.
Have you ever had a day or a season in your life where you felt spiritually dry, sad, or distant from God? If I want to overcome distance from my husband or a friend, I make it a point to spend time with them. I sit, I ask questions, I invest time and make it a priority. Why? In order to have deeper connection. Similarly, when I am feeling spiritually dry or distant from God, I purpose to spend time with Him in His word, even when I don’t want to pick it up. Why? Because He speaks to me where I am.
I like to think of God’s Word as a way to enhance the soil of my heart. I open my heart to the “fertilizer,” so to speak. A fertilizer provides plants/soil with essential nutrients to grow and thrive. Did you know that the very word God speaks to us is life? John 6:63 NLT says, “It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh is no help at all. The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life.” God’s word nourishes and sustains me/us. The Bible is our food, our daily bread.
So, friends how do we practically open our hearts? How do we move toward God instead of away from him. How do we “O” Open our hearts?
- We put him first, even when we don’t feel like it. I pray and ask God, “Give me a desire to seek You now, even when I feel distant.” Just like fertilizer can enhance and help plants provide strong roots, I ask God to give me more of him, my daily bread and sustenance.
- We know that fertilizer can help plants recover from heat, drought and help them bloom.I ask God, “What do you want me to know? Give me understanding and help me do what You are asking me to do. Help me recover and bloom.”
- Lastly, like fertilizer, His Word improves my growth. I move toward him by reading His Word, I listen to a sermon or podcast and I ask God to speak to me. I then will often journal my thoughts, prayers and requests. In the relationship process I adore him and yield my control. When I am connected, I am fruitful and nourished of my depleted nutrients. He gives me the peace to bloom effectively.
The fertilizer of God’s word is essential for our Garden growth. Let’s open his word and ask God to give us the nutrients we need today to thrive and grow.
Father, give us the desire for more of You. When we are stuck, help us move toward You. Lord, we ask that you would protect us from the challenges of life, from times of drought, and make us bloom. You are truly all that we need. Remind us today that you alone are life. When we feel tired, dry, or busy, redirect us to You. In Your name Jesus, Amen.
