Dictionary.com defines “stretch” as:

  • to draw out or extend (oneself, a body, limbs, wings, etc.) to the full length or extent,
  • to hold out, reach forth, or extend.

The new 2023 year is here. Many have begun new regimens in the areas of eating healthy, exercising, mental reevaluations, new jobs, etc.

January is a great time to start anew. A clean slate. Each year, I come up with a word as a reminder to challenge myself in becoming a better “me”. For the last several years, I’ve started off with these words:

  1. Restart – 2020
  2. Reset – 2021
  3. Revive – 2022
  4. Stretch – 2023

I was on an “R” streak for the last three years, and this year, that all changed. The one word that has been creeping into my mind is “Stretch”.

I’ve been growing and nurturing myself in many areas of my life: my health, my writings, my family, my relationships, and most importantly, my faith in Jesus Christ. I don’t know what God has planned for me, but if it includes the word, Stretch, hmmm… well, I better get flexible very, very soon because I have an inkling that the Lord is leading me on a journey where all these facets will be tested.

This brings me to this revelation I discovered in the Bible, specifically, in Mathew 13: 1-8 and 18-23 as it relates to human inclination and learning the truth about themselves. Let me share the scriptural content below and then I’ll explain and tie everything together.

The Parable of the Sower

13 “On the same day Jesus went out of the house and sat by the sea. 2 And great multitudes were gathered together to Him, so that He got into a boat and sat; and the whole multitude stood on the shore.3 Then He spoke many things to them in parables, saying: “Behold, a sower went out to sow. 4 And as he sowed, some seed fell by the wayside; and the birds came and devoured them. 5 Some fell on stony places, where they did not have much earth; and they immediately sprang up because they had no depth of earth. 6 But when the sun was up they were scorched, and because they had no root they withered away. 7 And some fell among thorns, and the thorns sprang up and choked them. 8 But others fell on good ground and yielded a crop: some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.”

 

The Parable of the Sower Explained

18 “Therefore hear the parable of the sower: 19 When anyone hears the word of the kingdom, and does not understand it, then the wicked one comes and snatches away what was sown in his heart. This is he who received seed by the wayside. 20 But he who received the seed on stony places, this is he who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy; 21 yet he has no root in himself, but endures only for a while. For when tribulation or persecution arises because of the word, immediately he stumbles. 22 Now he who received seed among the thorns is he who hears the word, and the cares of this world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and he becomes unfruitful. 23 But he who received seed on the good ground is he who hears the word and understands it, who indeed bears fruit and produces: some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.”

My Take…

Though this is a biblical parable about a sower and the seed. A lot can be said about how people react, work through, or persevere when it comes to New Year’s resolutions, making life changes, starting something different, etc. Jesus uses the sower as Himself/God, and the seed as representative of God’s Word, But, it can also apply to learning, truth, wisdom, influence, etc. People generally fall into four categories when receiving these nuggets:

  1. People hear what they’re supposed to do, but often don’t understand it, are unable to apply it, often question it, and therefore discard it on the wayside.
  2. People hear what they’re supposed to do in “stony” places. These people are the ones who receive info with joy and start strong in their endeavors. Like those who start a new healthy diet in January. They’re excited about it for a while, but as soon as something goes wrong or it’s not working, they stumble and then quit because they have no depth in their being to fight through it.
  3. People who hear amongst the thorns. These folks are confident and are working on their talents, but soon the cares of the world take over, and their love for worldly things and pleasures choke them out, and they stop.
  4. People receive and hear on good ground. They’re the ones who will bear good fruit. Why? Because they accept it, apply it, and produce good in the world. They have a strong foundation, use discernment, and serve others using their gifts and talents.

Which category do you fall in?

And so, as I journey this year, “stretching” myself in various life situations and circumstances, I’m going to keep this Biblical parable in mind encouraging me to create a stronger soil, so that when the Sower throws me seeds, I can plant them, and they can multiply. I hope you do the same.

“He who has ears to hear, let him hear!” Mathew 13: 9

I pray you too can be blessed to stretch and soar beyond your understanding. Do you have a word for the year? If so, comment below. I’d love to learn your thoughts.

Until next time…

Be well. Be safe. Be happy!

 

References:

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mathew+13%3A+1-8&version=NKJV

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mathew+13%3A+18-23&version=NKJV

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mathew+13%3A+9&version=NKJV