Luke 8:8 "And other fell on good ground and sprang up, and bore fruit a hundredfold. And when He had said these things, He cried, He who has ears to hear, let him hear."

In parable of the Sower and the Soils the last soil is the only soil that produced a crop. There was something different about this soil. Jesus describe the soil in Luke 8:15

"And those in the good ground, these are the ones who in a right and good heart, hearing the Word, they hold it and bear fruit in patience."

For those of you who are farmers or who grow gardens, what needs to be done to prepare the soil for the seed? The soil has to be plowed or broken up. When that is done, the weeds are ripped up, and rocks removed. The soil is soft and ready for the seed. The same is true in our lives. It is in our brokenness, when all distractions are ripped up, removed, and our hearts are softened, that we finally look to Jesus to see our weaknesses. It is in those times that the character of Jesus grows in us.

There have been many times in my own life when I've gotten busy with life and let my time with God slip, or thought I could get away with just doing a little reading and then go about my day, never taking time to be quiet and allow God to impress on my heart the things I needed to be told. Each time I found myself fighting medical problems that brought me back to my knees and my focus back on God again. I think we all could look back and see that it was in the valleys and difficulties in our lives that we grew to be more like Jesus. It was in those times that we drew closer to God and allowed Him to draw near to us. We became more aware of His leading and let Him do the work in us that He want to do. There is one sacrifice that will never be despised by God. It is a broken and contrite heart.

"The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and a contrite heart, O God, You will not despise." Psalm 51:17

It is in the broken heart that God is able to do His greatest work. It is in those long, dark valleys that God is able to make the changes. The best fruits require time, cultivation, and patience. The same is true for results of our spiritual growth.

"And not only so, but we glory also in afflictions, knowing that affliction works out patience, and patience works out proven character; and proven character, hope. And the hope does not put us to shame, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts through the Holy Spirit given to us;" Romans 5:3-5

If you're walking through a valley now, don't give up. God could be doing some great work in you. You just never had time for God before. His word just bounced off you, but now your world has come to a halt and now you are hungry for the word of God and you want God with you. Now you are open to letting Him in your heart to make you the person He wants you to be. Stay with Him. Cling to Him and get to know Him. Your life will be so much more fulfilling when you are growing in Jesus and walking with Him every day.