Be Careful Little Feet

This is the meaning of the parable: The seed is God’s word. The seeds that fell on the footpath represent those who hear the message, only to have the devil come and take it away from their hearts and prevent them from believing and being saved. The seeds on the rocky soil represent those who hear the message and receive it with joy. But since they don’t have deep roots, they believe for a while, then they fall away when they face temptation. The seeds that fell among the thorns represent those who hear the message, but all too quickly the message is crowded out by the cares and riches and pleasures of this life. And so they never grow into maturity. And the seeds that fell on the good soil represent honest, good-hearted people who hear God’s word, cling to it, and patiently produce a huge harvest.
Luke 8:11-15 NLT

Reading this, my thoughts went back to a song I learned as a little girl, Be Careful. It was being careful little eyes; little ears; little tongue; little hands; and little feet. As a child, it was all about staying out of trouble and away from bad things. As an adult, my perspective has changed. 

These days, I think of it more from the angle of being intentional about where I look. Is there someone God wants me to see as I go through my day? Intentional about what I hear - is what I listen to edifying? Will it build my faith? Am I hearing God's voice whisper in my ear? Intentional about what I say? Proverbs 25:11, A word fitly spoken... Oh, help me, Jesus! Are my words even fit to be spoken? Are my hands intentional to help others? Do my feet carry me to where I need to be? And that brings me to our Promise for Today.

The seed being sown is God's Word. It's always good. There's not one bad seed in it, and yet as we read this passage, so much of it does not produce to its full potential. It was all the same seed. Is there anything wrong with the seed? No, not at all! Given the right Light and good soil, it will grow and flourish and produce an incredible harvest. But if I'm not in the right place to receive it...

Prayer:

Father,
           We pray according to Your Word; Direct our footsteps according to Your word; let no sin rule over us. You brought us up out of the pit of destruction, out of the miry clay; Set our feet upon a rock making our footsteps firm. Your word is a lamp to our feet and a light to our path. Guide our footsteps into Your paths of righteousness. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen