The Thorn Patch

Mark 4:14, 18-19 ESV
“The sower sows the word… And others are the ones sown among thorns. They are those who hear the word,  but the cares of the world and the deceitfulness of riches and the desires for other things enter in and choke the word, and it proves unfruitful.”

Some people are like the seed that fell among the thorns. They receive the word but allow the interests and cares of this world to choke it out. There are things that become more important, like making a living.

For years I thought if I worked hard, and put in long hours, I was doing my part for my family but actually I was denying the family quality and quantity time. It got so bad I found myself taking care of things on Sunday and eventually for a short time it took me out of church on Sundays for a short time.

Working hard is good, but it can also consume us. For others it could be things that need attention around the home, repairs, things that need to be purchased.

Some feel the need to take time to do recreation when they are not working and that is good, but sometimes, in excess, that can take us away from God’s work. That can be thorns as well. The thorns in life come in many different forms. But they all share in common the ability to choke out spiritual development.

Some people may find that their thorns can be detected easily. It seems to me that most of the thorns are much better disguised, they are not easily detected until the damage has been done. It is hard to look at one of them and say ‘this is a bad thing’ and I should not do it. And yet, if they choke out the word of God, and prevent us from being fruitful in the soil of our life, it is a thorn.

Prayer:
Lord, You have sown the word, it is my responsibility to make the time to allow Your word to take root in my life and my families life, and my church families lives! Teach me to clear out the clutter of my life and make room for You to cultivate in me Your will!