SCRIPTURE:
“Still others, like seed sown among thorns, hear the word; but the worries of this life, the deceitfulness of wealth and the desires for other things come in and choke the word, making it unfruitful.”
Mark 4:18-19
OBSERVATION:
In this parable Jesus teaches them about sowing seed in different types of soil, and the ability of that seed to grow and bear fruit. Here, seed sown among thorns can grow, but the thorns (world) can eventually choke it out, making it unfruitful.
APPLICATION:
Soil is a great example of our hearts. When the soil is fertile and healthy, the ability to receive and grow is tremendous. Much of the same can be said of our hearts. When our hearts are healthy and open, we can receive and grow in leaps and bounds.
Yet, there are other things vying for our attention. Just like the thorns, the things of this world will pull at us – the worries of this life, the deceitfulness that wealth can bring and other desires that we place above the Lord.
Early in my walk with the Lord, there were times when I would feel the pull. Unexpected bills would arrive, seeing the rising cost of living and the desires to venture out on to new paths, would tug at me. Trusting in the world instead of The Word would bear little fruit in my life.
As I grew in maturity, I learned that this was an issue of where I was placing my trust. Would I place it elsewhere or would I place it in God?
The more and more I was able to place my trust in the Lord instead of the things around me, is when I began to see the fruit – fruitfulness in my walk with the Lord, in my relationships with others and in the calling He had for my life. While this world has a way of pulling at us, I need to remember that trusting in it is a recipe for disaster.
PRAYER:
Father Almighty. Forgive me Lord for times when I have placed other things above You. Thank You Lord for the fruit that You bring forth in my life. May I place my trust in You, this I pray, in Jesus’ name, Amen.
