Seed among thorns

 "Consider the sower who went out to sow...Other seed fell among thorns, and the thorns came up and choked it...Now the one sown among the thorns - this is one who hears the word, but the worries of this age and the deceitfulness of wealth choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful."

Matthew 13:3, 7, 22 CSB

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This is the one that I identify with the most, and that I struggle with often these days. This is a scenario where the seed did get planted - there was some sort of growth, and life happening, but the thorns quicky took over and choked out the plant. There might even be possibility of life to still form, but there is no flourishing. Interesting how Jesus chooses worries of the world and the pleasures of wealth as the deciding factors that causes this. What makes worries of the world and wealth thorn-like and able to choke out a heart towards God?

Worries/anxiety of the world I think means that they concern themselves with the things the world is concerned of. The deceitfulness (or pleasures) of wealth distracts people away from a God-centered, and God-focused life. It is a heart that is consumed by the things that the world is worries about, and is yeaning not for heavenly reward but earthly rewards.

It is, in essence, the temptation of a comfortable, me-centered, life that is largely made possible even more so in wealthy societies like ours. I can see why Jesus says that it is so hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom... because there is just so much temptation and sin tied to the extravagance of wealth. Many people try to justify it, but there is such a responsibility and weightiness of wealth and the comforts of first-world society that I think Jesus' words should make us give pause, reflect, and more often times than not, repent.

My heart is filled with the desires and worries of this world. Of course, everyone has this, but we must temper these thoughts and desires with a constant giving over to, relinquishing, and surrendering to the Lord.

Lord, search my heart. Test my thoughts and my heart and reveal to me areas that I need to repent. There is so much yearning for comfort that I know often times, it will choke out a genuine desire to want to live a God-centered life. Help make Jesus my greatest affection and treasure. Teach me what that can look like practically. Help me to remember that all things are given, through you, by your Grace.

In Jesus Name, Amen.