The Seed Falling Among the Thorns!

“Listen then to what the parable of the sower means: When anyone hears the message about the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what was sown in their heart. This is the seed sown along the path. The seed falling on rocky ground refers to someone who hears the word and at once receives it with joy. But since they have no root, they last only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, they quickly fall away. The seed falling among the thorns refers to someone who hears the word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke the word, making it unfruitful. But the seed falling on good soil refers to someone who hears the word and understands it. This is the one who produces a crop, yielding a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown.” – Matthew 13:18-23 NIV

We often find the Bible as an inspirational book, if we consider ourselves as Christians. Since the Bible was written in ancient times, it does not seem to match with today’s culture. We can see this issue in the Old Testament for instance. We may also can see this issue in the New Testament as well. As worries can get us to nowhere, some of us may deny the Scriptures that do not match with today’s culture.

It is true that worries are stumbling blocks of life. Jesus Christ asked this question: “Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?” (Matthew 6:27) I know this because of my experiences. To be more specific, I think I had anxieties on timing of the school assignments. I thought I was not able to finish the assignments in time. There was one time my due date of an assignment was extended for a week but that was when I realised that I did not put academic references. Other than this, I completely trusted the grace of God and did my best at completing them in time, even though I had to sleep around 2am. Worries may be one of the way of Satan to prevent us from doing the will of God.

Therefore, I believe that we should cast all of our worries to God and rely on the Holy Spirit, instead of worrying (1 Peter 5:6-7). Writing devotionals is probably my powerful experience. Most of the time, I depend on the Holy Spirit as the Spirit empowers me to I write. Because of this, my dream is to be a Christian Writer as well as working in the church. If I was not a Christian and studying theology, my dream probably would be working with Microsoft Office applications. Although working those applications seem interesting and I would get more money from the computer career, I think more of the empowerment of the Spirit is on becoming a Christian Writer as well as working in the church. I care about how I am going to provide myself financially but I do not love money and I rely on God (Hebrews 13:5). Furthermore, Apostle Paul has proclaimed,

But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. Those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs. (1 Timothy 6:6-10)

Tomorrow, I anticipate to on writing about the reason that principles of the Bible is so important to us. Nevertheless, meditate on the goodness of God and the will of God. Ask yourself this question today: “Am I focused on God wholeheartedly and doing everything for the sake of Jesus Christ, or am I worrying about how I am going to live on this earth?” If you have worries about your life, then cast all of them to God and make Him as your centre!