The other day, I overheard someone describing a person in their life as ‘hard-hearted.’ Have you ever heard that term before? It struck me in a new way that day—what does it truly mean to be hard-hearted?

I recalled a conversation from years ago between two women. One was concerned about her daughter’s new boyfriend. She said, “He’s so warm, kind, and treats her well… but he’s not a Christian.” The other woman replied, “As long as he has a heart that is soft for God…” I have never forgotten those words—a heart soft for God. This stood in stark contrast to the recent conversation I overheard, referring to someone with a hard heart. The difference between these two descriptions made me reflect on my Bible reading that morning—Hosea 10:12:

“Sow righteousness for yourselves, reap the fruit of unfailing love, and break up your unplowed ground; for it is time to seek the LORD until he comes and showers his righteousness on you.”

It made me think—when we turn away from God, our hearts can easily become hardened, resistant to God’s voice and God’s work in our lives. Just like unplowed ground that has become dry and stubborn, our hearts can grow tough and unyielding if we are not intentional about seeking the Lord.

But God calls us to cultivate the soil of our hearts. When we seek God, it’s like the early rain that softens the earth, preparing it to receive the seeds He wants to plant. Seeking the Lord means making space for God’s Word to take root and grow.

So don’t wait. Seek God eagerly and expectantly today. Reflect on Hosea 10:12, and ask yourself: Am I sowing seeds of righteousness? Am I reaping the fruit of God’s unfailing love?

No matter where you are, it is never too late to turn to God. God is always ready to shower mercy and grace upon you. Let us open our hearts to God and trust that God will make them soft, ready to receive all the Lord has in store for us.