The beginning of a new year is a good time to reflect upon the wisdom of the Parable of the Sower—both in our lives and in our civilizations.

It is essential to do these reflections in the spirit of removing planks from our own eyes—not in the spirit of removing specks from the eyes of others. (Matthew 7:3-5).

It is essential to do these reflections in the spirit of the humble sinner who begged for mercy—not in the spirit of the proud Pharisee who boasted about how righteous he was “and looked down on everyone else.” (Luke 18:9-14).

Near the beginning of a New Year, seek wisdom by asking yourself these questions.

In what ways am I and my civilization like the hard soil of a path? I do not understand the words of the LORD. Indeed, the good words sown in my heart and my civilization are “snatched away”. (Matthew 13:18-19).

In what ways am I and my civilization like rocky ground? I hear the words of the LORD and they spring up with joy. But they have no root. They last only a short time. “When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, they quickly fall away.” (Matthew 13:20-21).

In what ways am I and my civilization choked by thorns and weeds? “The worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke the word, making it unfruitful.” (Matthew 13:22).

In what ways am I and my civilization good soil? We hear and understand. We see and perceive. We remove the callouses from our hearts so we understand with our hearts, wisely turning to the LORD so that he heals us. (Matthew 13:15).

In what ways should I and my civilization humble ourselves, seeking the wisdom to seek the face of the LORD, wisely turning from our wicked ways, so that we and our land are healed? (2 Chronicles 7:14).

In what ways should I and my civilization turn to the LORD, wisely becoming good soil that produces a crop thirty, sixty, or a hundred times greater than the good words of the LORD sown in us.

QUESTIONS TO THINK ABOUT

How do you answer the questions posed in this blog?

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For related reflections, please read my blogs “Building Houses on Rock: Mission Impossible?”, “Building Houses on Rock: Mercy and Forgiveness”, “Building Houses on Rock: Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness”, “Building Houses on Sand: Specks and Planks”, and “Spilling Coffee”.

For related reflections, please read my books Hoping in the LORD, Lighting the World, Visions of America, and Visions of the Church.