It's Time For Some Rest
I recently bought a house. It's great! My wife loves it. She calls it her dream home. I never really thought it was possible for someone like me to be a homeowner, but after a pretty stressful process (enough to send me to the hospital over abdominal issues - probably ulcers), we got it!
So this morning I end up in Luke 8 and this really caught my eye,
"The seed that fell among thorns stands for those who hear, but as they go on their way they are choked by life’s worries, riches and pleasures, and they do not mature." -Luke 8:14
I never like to study any verse out of it's context, so let's back up...
Jesus is in the explanation portion of His parable. A whole load of people from various towns have traveled to gather at His teaching. He gives His classic "Parable of the Sower," where the condition of one's heart determines the efficacy of the Kingdom of God in their life through the sowing of the Word of God.
There were four places the seed of the sower would fall, 1.)Along the path, 2.) On the rocky ground, 3.) Among the thorns, and 4.) On good soil.
I won't dive into the details for each one, Jesus actually does that himself in verses 11-15 (Go read it). Rather, I want to hone in on the verse that I just shared, verse 14.
"The seed that fell among thorns..."
I have long wondered what kind of soil I am. Not in any effort to justify myself, but because inherent in the parable is the ability for the hearer to be unaware of their condition.
For example, the rocky heart is unaware that his roots don't go deep, and though his faith begins to take root, it quickly withers and dies as it cannot withstand the tests of this life.
I've seen this happen. I've seen my friends come to Christ, be disciples for a season, and drop out of the race before it even gets going. I'd say more than half of the people I've been on mission trips with aren't even Christians anymore... I could even name the names of those I went to Bible college with who at once studied to be in the ministry and have now renounced their faith altogether.
If asked at the time of their zeal... No doubt they would deny the allegation that one day they would recant the name of Christ. But hindsight is 2020 and that's exactly what they have done.
But enough about others... What about me?
When I read this verse, I quickly prayed, "Oh God, may it not be me!"
I ABSOLUTELY can relate to what verse 14 is saying.
"...They go on their way they are choked by life’s worries, riches and pleasures..."
Can you relate to that?
It's not the blatant rejection of the faith that is being highlighted by Jesus here. It's our faith not bearing fruit that is emphasized. It's immaturity.
It is the seed cast along the path and along rocky soil that is equated to one never being saved, but Jesus prefaces the thorny soil by stating, "The seed that fell among thorns stands."
It stands...
How long have you been "standing?" I've been standing for almost a decade now... But how much fruit have I borne? You see, Jesus wants us to bear much fruit, but life tends to get in the way.
(For an awesome quick read on "Fruit Bearing" check this out)
So, here is why I actually picked up my laptop and wanted to share this with you all... Because the thorny soil looks a LOT like the lives we all live every day here in America.
Seriously... When I prayed and said "Oh God, may it not be me!" I envisioned myself waking up to a crying child in the next room over (or that same child - now in my bed- kicking me in the ribs) and then going about my daily routine:
1.) Try and get as much sleep as I can
2.) Jump in the shower
3.) Maybe have enough time to eat breakfast
4.) Race to work!
And then my days are filled with work, conversations with friends, and then I come home...
5.) Pull in the driveway
6.) Find something that irritates me - such light was left on too long - the bathroom fan now makes a noise - the car is blocking the neighbors driveway - the amount of time my son has sat in front of a screen, etc...
7.) Cook dinner
8.) Eat dinner
9.) Stare at my phone
10.) Go to sleep
Where, among all these thorns, was I able to spend intimate time with my Savior? No where... And it's daily.
"Oh God... It is me... I am rich..."
And yet he reminded me of one thing... I am not the one who has gone pursuing at all costs the riches and pleasures of this world. Rather, He has blessed me with them.
There is a distinction, though the thorns affect both parties. On the one hand, one pursues the riches and pleasures of this life with all his heart, mind, soul, and strength. Their desks are usually filled with motivational speak. They are constantly tuned into TED Talks from various entrepreneurs and the thought of God is not even on the radar...
But there is another class of the rich. Those who have been blessed by the Lord. People like Solomon. People like us... But the thorns affect us too. We want to pursue God with all our heart, mind, soul, and strength. Our desks are usually filled with Scriptures on post-it it notes... We are constantly tuned into some preacher on YouTube, but despite all that... God isn't a blip on our radars either...
It's a scary place to be, because we believe all the right things. We do all the right things. We know that our lives are hidden in Christ and our eternity feels secure. We are "standing."
But when we look at our lives, we know we are not bearing fruit, because we only bear fruit when we abide in the vine (Go read John 15). There Jesus reminds us, "Abide in me, as I also abide in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must abide in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you abide in me."
So the application... Stop being "too busy." I'm so sick of hearing "I'm too busy..." If you're in ministry, stop the churchy stuff if it keeps you from abiding in Him.
I've realized recently that though work can be worship, if your work is devoid of worship, it is detrimental to your spirit.
Let me distill that... If your worship has become work... Stop.
You've got to hit the reset button.
Return to your first love. Go do the things you did at first. Pray... Spend time with Jesus. Keep it simple. Forget about your theological training... Stop trying to win every stupid argument...
Simplify your faith. SPEND TIME WITH JESUS.
Do you remember Mary and Martha in Luke 10:38-42? BE LIKE MARY!
Guys, I have not been bearing any fruit. I am indeed rich according to the nations of this world. I have not set out to become rich. I just somehow ended up here... But I want more than anything to bear the fruit of my Redeemer and it's not going to happen by any other means than by spending intimate, quality, time with Him.
I've seen enough people close to me simply stop walking with the Lord altogether. I don't want to see you bear no fruit.
Let today be a high water mark in your life. Make the change today. Relax... Let Jesus be your rest... Spend undivided time with Him... And bear much fruit.
The thorns can wait...
So this morning I end up in Luke 8 and this really caught my eye,
"The seed that fell among thorns stands for those who hear, but as they go on their way they are choked by life’s worries, riches and pleasures, and they do not mature." -Luke 8:14
I never like to study any verse out of it's context, so let's back up...
Jesus is in the explanation portion of His parable. A whole load of people from various towns have traveled to gather at His teaching. He gives His classic "Parable of the Sower," where the condition of one's heart determines the efficacy of the Kingdom of God in their life through the sowing of the Word of God.
There were four places the seed of the sower would fall, 1.)Along the path, 2.) On the rocky ground, 3.) Among the thorns, and 4.) On good soil.
I won't dive into the details for each one, Jesus actually does that himself in verses 11-15 (Go read it). Rather, I want to hone in on the verse that I just shared, verse 14.
"The seed that fell among thorns..."
I have long wondered what kind of soil I am. Not in any effort to justify myself, but because inherent in the parable is the ability for the hearer to be unaware of their condition.
For example, the rocky heart is unaware that his roots don't go deep, and though his faith begins to take root, it quickly withers and dies as it cannot withstand the tests of this life.
I've seen this happen. I've seen my friends come to Christ, be disciples for a season, and drop out of the race before it even gets going. I'd say more than half of the people I've been on mission trips with aren't even Christians anymore... I could even name the names of those I went to Bible college with who at once studied to be in the ministry and have now renounced their faith altogether.
If asked at the time of their zeal... No doubt they would deny the allegation that one day they would recant the name of Christ. But hindsight is 2020 and that's exactly what they have done.
But enough about others... What about me?
When I read this verse, I quickly prayed, "Oh God, may it not be me!"
I ABSOLUTELY can relate to what verse 14 is saying.
"...They go on their way they are choked by life’s worries, riches and pleasures..."
Can you relate to that?
It's not the blatant rejection of the faith that is being highlighted by Jesus here. It's our faith not bearing fruit that is emphasized. It's immaturity.
It is the seed cast along the path and along rocky soil that is equated to one never being saved, but Jesus prefaces the thorny soil by stating, "The seed that fell among thorns stands."
It stands...
How long have you been "standing?" I've been standing for almost a decade now... But how much fruit have I borne? You see, Jesus wants us to bear much fruit, but life tends to get in the way.
(For an awesome quick read on "Fruit Bearing" check this out)
So, here is why I actually picked up my laptop and wanted to share this with you all... Because the thorny soil looks a LOT like the lives we all live every day here in America.
Seriously... When I prayed and said "Oh God, may it not be me!" I envisioned myself waking up to a crying child in the next room over (or that same child - now in my bed- kicking me in the ribs) and then going about my daily routine:
1.) Try and get as much sleep as I can
2.) Jump in the shower
3.) Maybe have enough time to eat breakfast
4.) Race to work!
And then my days are filled with work, conversations with friends, and then I come home...
5.) Pull in the driveway
6.) Find something that irritates me - such light was left on too long - the bathroom fan now makes a noise - the car is blocking the neighbors driveway - the amount of time my son has sat in front of a screen, etc...
7.) Cook dinner
8.) Eat dinner
9.) Stare at my phone
10.) Go to sleep
Where, among all these thorns, was I able to spend intimate time with my Savior? No where... And it's daily.
"Oh God... It is me... I am rich..."
And yet he reminded me of one thing... I am not the one who has gone pursuing at all costs the riches and pleasures of this world. Rather, He has blessed me with them.
There is a distinction, though the thorns affect both parties. On the one hand, one pursues the riches and pleasures of this life with all his heart, mind, soul, and strength. Their desks are usually filled with motivational speak. They are constantly tuned into TED Talks from various entrepreneurs and the thought of God is not even on the radar...
But there is another class of the rich. Those who have been blessed by the Lord. People like Solomon. People like us... But the thorns affect us too. We want to pursue God with all our heart, mind, soul, and strength. Our desks are usually filled with Scriptures on post-it it notes... We are constantly tuned into some preacher on YouTube, but despite all that... God isn't a blip on our radars either...
It's a scary place to be, because we believe all the right things. We do all the right things. We know that our lives are hidden in Christ and our eternity feels secure. We are "standing."
But when we look at our lives, we know we are not bearing fruit, because we only bear fruit when we abide in the vine (Go read John 15). There Jesus reminds us, "Abide in me, as I also abide in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must abide in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you abide in me."
So the application... Stop being "too busy." I'm so sick of hearing "I'm too busy..." If you're in ministry, stop the churchy stuff if it keeps you from abiding in Him.
I've realized recently that though work can be worship, if your work is devoid of worship, it is detrimental to your spirit.
Let me distill that... If your worship has become work... Stop.
You've got to hit the reset button.
Return to your first love. Go do the things you did at first. Pray... Spend time with Jesus. Keep it simple. Forget about your theological training... Stop trying to win every stupid argument...
Simplify your faith. SPEND TIME WITH JESUS.
Do you remember Mary and Martha in Luke 10:38-42? BE LIKE MARY!
Guys, I have not been bearing any fruit. I am indeed rich according to the nations of this world. I have not set out to become rich. I just somehow ended up here... But I want more than anything to bear the fruit of my Redeemer and it's not going to happen by any other means than by spending intimate, quality, time with Him.
I've seen enough people close to me simply stop walking with the Lord altogether. I don't want to see you bear no fruit.
Let today be a high water mark in your life. Make the change today. Relax... Let Jesus be your rest... Spend undivided time with Him... And bear much fruit.
The thorns can wait...
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