SCRIPTURE:
'The seed that fell among thorns stands for those who hear, but as they go on their way they are choked by life’s worries, riches and pleasures, and they do not mature. '
Luke 8:14
OBSERVATION:
The seed that falls on thorns has been described as what happens when we put our goals above God’s goals and fail to serve an audience of One. Instead of being sourced by the power of the Holy Spirt we succumb to agenda and anxiety; or as Luke writes, life’s worries, riches and pleasures.
APPLICATION:
When I take an honest and real assessment, my soil is often riddled with thorns. Instead of trusting the sovereignty of my King, I worry about the things around me that can fail. But the good news is that my thorny soil can become good soil as long as I “consistently yield to the plow of the Holy Spirit.”
In order to turn my thorns into triumph I need to:
- Right my perspective. My goal is not fame, but to make Jesus famous. When that’s the starting and end point, then there’s no anxiety or worry. My status takes a back seat to His glory. My posture of praise will always right my perspective.
- Trust Him completely. Worry just means I don’t believe, I don’t trust, I lack the faith. God has never failed me, so instead of looking forward with anxiety and can look forward in hope by peeking back at His faithfulness.
- Be diligent to hear His voice. With so much shouting going on in our world and nation often it’s the loudest voice in the room that is heard. But with God it’s different. It’s not in the volume of the voice but my commitment to lean in and listen. He is faithful to lead and as I acclimate and commit to know the voice of the Shepherd, He will always lead me beside still waters and restore my soul.
PRAYER:
Jesus, I pray you continue to plow my soil, removing the rocks, thorns and other obstacles that keep it from being good. As I fix my eyes on You, I trust that You will send Your Holy Spirit to right my perspective and direct my steps. Amen
