Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up with it and choked the plants.
– Luke 8:7
In his book entitled, “Get Your Life Back: Everyday Practices for a World Gone Mad,” John Eldredge asks a very simple yet profound question: “What does it say that you look like some sort of a nut job when you turn your phone off?”
It’s a piercing question that echoes Jesus’ parable in Luke 8. The seed falling among thorns represents those who hear God’s Word, but life’s worries, riches, and pleasures grow up like weeds, choking out spiritual growth (v.14).
Our world today is full of constant noise… endless notifications begging our immediate attention, commitments, deadlines, and distractions. Got to do this today. Got to take the kids to soccer. Got to go shopping. Got to finish this paper. Gotta, gotta, gotta… These “thorns” aren’t always bad things. Sometimes they’re good things that we’ve allowed to take over our lives. Then we get too busy to pray, too distracted to read Scripture, or too consumed to be still and listen for God’s voice. As a result, our souls dry up and wither. Next thing you know, we’re no different from the rest of the world. We’re walking right in step with everybody else.
And yet, God tells us to not be like everybody else.
Jesus warns us: the thorns of life can choke out what God is trying to grow in us. So what’s crowding your heart today? Can you survive a few moments to unplug, be still, and let God’s Word take root?
If we create the time and space, He will meet us there. Whether it’s alone in our room for prayer, in the morning as we read our Bible, or meditating on His Word in the beauty and wonder of His creation in the quiet of the evening at the local park.
He will meet us there, always.
Former Blackout Artist 