¹⁰ And the disciples came and said to Him, “Why do You speak to them in parables?” ¹¹ Jesus answered them, “To you it has been granted to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been granted.”  Matthew 13:11-12

      I blogged on this a few days ago.  Help me, I can’t stay away from thinking about these verses.  It is the plight of being a pastor.  When you begin to meditate on certain issues, they ruminate in your spirit until you share them.  So listen up! 

      I struggled with these verses for several years.  Why are some given beauty, talent, higher IQ’s, and athletic ability, while others do not appear to have been “granted” as much?  When we are young, these differences seem to be even more glaring.  Some have even taken their dissatisfaction and have grown to despise the Lord for His creative neglect.  They are somewhat bitter over their limited ability, skills, or physical appearance. 

      At first glance, Jesus’ words appear to confirm what many falsely believe.  God has favorites!  Some have been granted more and others have not been granted very much.  How could God allow such a thing to happen in the Spirit as well?  Life is not fair!  How could some be given an inside track to God’s mysteries, while others are left out? 

       What do you think?  Do you feel God has kept His best from you?  Do you feel God placed you at the end of the line when He passed out both physical and spiritual abilities?  Have you grown bitter over such issues?  I think I might be able to help you.  There is a better, more complete way of viewing these types of situations and this passage….follow me for a few moments.   

1. Don’t fulfill Isaiah’s prophecy!  “YOU WILL KEEP ON HEARING, BUT WILL NOT UNDERSTAND; YOU WILL KEEP ON SEEING, BUT WILL NOT PERCEIVE;  ¹⁵ FOR THE HEART OF THIS PEOPLE HAS BECOME DULL,”   What comes first, a hard heart or God keeping His revelation from you?  Let me paraphrase Isaiah’s words.  Isaiah’s prophecy states that if we keep a dull and hard heart, it prohibits us from hearing God and being healed.  Wow!  God doesn’t want it to be this way.  It is simply a spiritual law at work.  It works 24/7/365.  The polar opposite is equally true.  A soft heart allows God’s revelation to flow to us.  Anytime you find your heart growing hard and calloused towards God, repent immediately. 
2. Purpose to “bloom where you are planted.”  Physically speaking…you are where you are.   It may not be in the best of places, but it is the place God has planted you.  God made you the way you are and loves you the way He made you…warts and all.  Don’t allow your circumstances to make you bitter.  Permit the hardships of life to make you better.  This is more than just making lemonade out of lemons.  It is about allowing the glory of the Lord to manifest in your life.  Remember, a soft heart towards God changes everything.  God will open up the heavens for a soft heart…believe it.    

      This helps to explain why some appear to grow more easily than others.  It is not that God has favorites.  Those with a soft heart are simply in compliance with God’s spiritual order of things.  Where do you stand?  Is your heart soft towards God today.  Only you can change that situation. 

Blessings!