Building on Sand: How We Can Dig Deeper in the American Church

Over this past year, I would post, “Dig Deeper,” in my stories on Instagram. There were many who thought they knew what I meant. But, they were wrong. SO wrong.

I saw people being jerked this way and that as each new shocking headline or conspiracy theory slid across the TV screen on caught our eye as we scrolled social media. I saw the Church being tossed around like a rag doll. We are supposed to be the stable ones; the unshakable whose foundation is secure on the Cornerstone (Jesus). Yet, I sat back and watched friends, loved ones, and strangers be moved by the movements of culture and not the Holy Spirit.

Dig Deeper didn’t mean to look deeper into headlines and theories. I wanted people to dig deeper into their faith; to really understand and lean into the truth about God. I desired people to stand steady and firm on what they said they believed: that no matter what comes our way, Jesus is sovereign, the Sustainer, and our Savior. We shouldn’t be tossed around or moved when this world loses it’s mind. We should remain steady.

Jesus talks a little bit about this in chapter 13 of the Book of Matthew. Jesus talks about a farmer who went out to sow his seeds. Jesus talks about what happened to the seeds as they fell on different soil. Read here…Matthew 13

“That same day Jesus went out of the house and sat by the lake. Such large crowds gathered around him that he got into a boat and sat in it, while all the people stood on the shore. Then he told them many things in parables, saying: “A farmer went out to sow his seed.  As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up. Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow. But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no root. Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants. Still other seed fell on good soil, where it produced a crop—a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown. Whoever has ears, let them hear.”

Matthew 13:1-9

We can find Christians who find themselves as each of these seeds. Some have heard about God and Jesus. They know some of the Bible characters and stories. They may have even gone to church a time or two. But, nothing stuck. There is no planting, watering, or nurturing of what they’ve heard or learned about Jesus. (this is the seed eaten by birds) Then, there’s another group. They go to church, maybe even every Sunday. But, it’s more of a task to check off the to-do list or something you do on Sunday because that’s what you’ve always done. There’s no growth or change. No maturation. (these are the seeds that are scorched and withered) The next group is the one that has one foot in the church and one foot out. They are lukewarm. They feel good because they (may)serve and attend church regularly, but their Monday thru Saturday life doesn’t match their Sunday morning self. They are easily swayed by the who and what around them because their feet are not firmly planted in the Word of God. (this is the seed among thorns)

As I read about the different types of seeds the sower plants, I see us. I see our world right now. There are so many good intentioned Christians who think their words and actions right now are propelling the church, but, in reality, they’re getting scorched and devoured by the prey and headlines of our world. They are easily influenced and choked out by the influences of the loudest voices instead of Truth. They are not firmly planted or rooted in God’s Word, so it is easy to manipulate Scripture to fit their narrative. We, the Church, are these sides. Well, a lot of us are.

There is one final seed. The sower plants these seeds on good soil. The seeds are able to take root and flourish. Their roots are strong because they are planted in the right place. These seeds are watered and nurtured in the good stuff; the good soil. They thrive. They don’t get eaten up the moment prey swoops in. They don’t get choked up by the weeds (lies) that surround them. Instead, the remain steady and thrive.

Church, we have a choice. What type of seed do you want to be? Do you want to be the one who is ravaged every time something happens in our world or do you want to thrive in that good soil no matter what happens? This world is and always will be messy. Hence, why we need Jesus; why we need a Savior. Don’t plant your seed in rocky soil. Plant it in the good soul which leads to firm roots so you won’t get tossed around when the storms rage. There is hope. His name is Jesus. He’s your good soil.

Love you.

Mean it.

Meg