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Verse:“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.” —Matthew 13:22, NIV
I have always enjoyed a good story, and Jesus’ parables are among my favorites. Do you remember the one about the farmer who sowed his seed on four different types of soil? Some fell on the pathway, others on shallow ground, some fell among the weeds and thorns, and “still other seed fell on good soil, where it produced a crop—a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown” (Matthew 13:8, NIV). Confused as to the meaning of the story, the disciples asked Jesus to explain it. He told them the seed represented the message of God’s kingdom, and the soils, the various conditions of the hearts of His hearers.
I have experienced each of the soils listed at different seasons of my life. Perhaps you have as well. We love the farmer, we want the seed to be fruitful in our lives, but somehow life surprises us as it unfolds in unexpected ways. Once tender hearts can harden under the burden of disappointment and prevent the seed from taking root.
Or, after a promising start, we grow disillusioned when stubborn character traits remain unchanged. Surely, a transformed life and victorious living should not be so hard. But at this stage of my life, the condition of heart that trips me up most often is the one overwhelmed by the worries and cares of life. Anxiety seeps into every area of my internal world, stealing my joy, depleting my energy, and leaving me tired and discouraged. I begin to ruminate on the thought that if I could just find a way to earn a little more money, life would be so much easier. And it’s true—it would! However, circumstances have limited my options. Life is harder than I had hoped. Farmers are patient. They understand soil and seasons.
They know that not every seed sown will bear fruit.
They don’t reprimand the seed lost among the weeds and thorns. They look to the seed sown into good soil and anticipate a rich harvest.
Even so, the Lord knows we will not always be fruitful. We will miss opportunities, grow weary, feel betrayed by the condition of our hearts.
But in due season, His Word will fall into the welcoming soil of our lives and bear much fruit for His glory. Don’t lose hope! God sees our hearts.
We are safe in the farmer’s care.
Karen Pearson