Plow up the hard ground of your hearts, for now is the time to seek the Lord, that he may come and shower righteousness upon you (Hosea 10:12 NLT).

By: Scott Schuler

Opening our hearts to God positions us to experience his infinite blessings.

A long drought hardened the ground at the ranch. I tapped the surface with my shovel. Dense as concrete. The only tool that could penetrate the soil was an unstable 1954 Ingersoll-Rand tractor with an augur attached. I thought if I put my full weight on the auger, I could force it into a side-to-side grinding motion that would break up the ground while the tractor operator tried to control the rig. We tackled the task with tenacity and perseverance, slowly turning the soil one post-hole at a time.

Like that compacted soil, our heart can harden without the nutrient of unconditional love.

In this impenetrable state, we cannot receive the mental, emotional, spiritual, or even physical healing Jesus provides.

The heart represents all that you are—spirit, soul, body and personality.

The prophet Hosea (10:12) gives further insight about what God desires of your heart.

Hosea highlights three important elements. Two of them require our action––plow up the hard ground of your hearts and seek the LORD. The third element––that he may come and shower righteousness upon you—is what God does when you act on the first two requirements.

Where has your heart grown hard and tired?

 Spend intentional time with Jesus today. Talk to Him about the hardened areas He can help you plow.

---