In the parable of the sower, the seed that falls on good soil brings forth a yield of 30, 60, sometimes 100 fold! Surely we want to bear such bountiful fruit for the Lord. But what is good soil? Good worldly soil has plenty of Nitrogen, Iron, Magnesium, and many other elements, in a soft medium with a good supply of moisture. Just so, good spiritual soil in our hearts must have its proper composition.

God drops His still dews of quietness upon our hearts to soften them – to make them humbly open and welcoming to the Seed – and to cause that Seed to germinate there. Then the Seed will put out its roots, which the soil must allow to spread through itself. Finally, the soil must readily, willingly, intentionally give up freely to those roots all that they need. And what they need is everything that the heart has – its loyalty, reverence, obedience, trust, energy, time, priority, love. All these are transformed into the fruits of the Spirit that spring from the Seed. Love, Joy, Peace, Longsuffering, Gentleness, Goodness, Faith, Meekness, Temperance – are made by the Spirit from the elements that the good soil has freely given to the Seed.