Then he told them many things in parables, saying: "A farmer went out to sow his seed. As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up...Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants." -Matthew 13:3, 4, 7
We must ever be on our guard against the spiritual thorns and weeds that can come along and choke out what could be vibrant and dynamic faith. What got me to contemplating this was something I saw recently along the wood line behind the church parsonage. I noticed this year that some wild blackberries had begun to grow along the fence. But I also noticed that the plants were being overrun with thorns and weeds. As I surveyed the situation I abandoned any thoughts of trying to get in there and cut back the thorns because not only were there weeds, but poison ivy in abundance. The weeds had too great a foothold and they literally choked out the blackberries. What a shame, because I love wild blackberries.
Just like those thorns and weeds can grow among plants and ruin them, so can faith be choked and stagnated by spiritual weeds that can grow. What are some of the spiritual weeds?
Worry and fear. If ever there was a kind of weed that can grow up in the hearts of believers it is worry and fear. These two spiritual weeds can quickly choke out some great work for the kingdom of God. Jesus told us not to worry (Matthew 6:25-ff). The Lord was right on target when He said that worrying will add nothing to our lives. In fact, worrying will greatly detract from our lives by causing a host of potential health problems, such as stomach ulcers, high blood pressure, heart disease, depression, and anxiety. Here is what I have discovered about worry; the outcome of the problem doesn’t change in relation to how much I worry. We can worry, wring our hands, and go to pieces over something and that will not affect the outcome of some problem or crisis. Psalm 37:8 says, “Refrain from anger and refrain from wrath; do not fret - it leads only to evil.” Worrying will only negatively affect the good work the Lord desires to do in us. Don’t allow fear and worry to keep you from doing what the Lord is calling you to do.
Distraction. Here is a spiritual weed that negatively affects countless people. We can become so overwhelmed by the many responsibilities and pursuits we want to do that we have a hard time focusing on any one pursuit. When that happens we can know that the weed of distraction is trying to grow into our lives. The Lord plants some wonderful ideas in our hearts, but it’s up to us to pray, seek the Lord, and determine which ones are viable and should be pursued. Be careful of the weed of distraction. We get rid of such weeds by asking the Lord to show us what we are to be doing, asking His help in setting priorities, and then seeking the Lord's help in accomplishing His will. As one writer so aptly put it, we will all leave this world with items left in our “in-box.” And that’s okay. We are called to be faithful with what the Lord has given us to do, and the Lord will help us to accomplish that which He sets before us.
Sorrow. This weed can grow into the heart and take root if we are not vigilant. The world is filled with people who have lost the joy of living. From sorrow comes bitterness, anxiety, sadness, and an overall negative disposition. In Christ we can be proactive; we must rise up and in Jesus’ name claim the peace that can be ours in Him. Rise up, get going, keep moving, never surrender, and claim what is rightfully ours in Jesus Christ.
No comments:
Post a Comment