Let's talk "dirt"

“The seed that fell among the 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

The third soil.  That’s my home turf.  My old stomping grounds.  It’s the one Jesus described in the verse above.

For years, I felt firmly planted in “Thorny Soil Three,” yet peering longingly through the split-rail fence at the healthier looking crops growing in “Good Soil Four.”  And I'd think to myself “I want to be over there ... I know I should be over there ... but I really like my riches and pleasures.  And, dirty little secret, I kinda like holding on to my worries, too!”

Thorny Soil Three is not a good place to set down roots.  Jesus says that those of us who live there remain immature in the faith.  So for years, I wondered if my dirt situation could change.  And then, it did.

It began with more “seed” – more time in the word of God.  Early in 2010, I began to keep a daily Bible journal.  Each morning, I would read a passage of scripture, write a few sentences expressing my thoughts on the passage, and conclude by writing out a short prayer to God, responding to what he had spoken to me through his word.  I was amazed at how close he drew me, and in the brilliance of those morning moments together, the distractions in life began to fade in importance, exposed for what they really were.

In time, there also came a “brush fire” that cleared away many of the thorns that surrounded me.  It was a time of rejection ... a season of great personal difficulty.  This is not the place for details, but suffice it to say I began to understand the emptiness of man’s acceptance and the fleetingness of the things we value in this world.  And oddly enough, in surviving this painful struggle, I lost the fear of rejection and failure that had been choking the word of God in my life for years!

Am I now thornless?  Not even close!  But a daily supply of God’s word and an ever clearer understanding of the distractions of the world have freed me to be more fruitful in this life.  And it’s all God's doing.

More seed ... less weed ... we’re freed!

[To read today’s text, the parable of the sower in Luke 8:4-15, click here.]

The Story - Chapter 23 - Jesus' Ministry Begins

The Twelve were with him...Don't you love those words?  For three years, The Twelve were with him.  The Twelve...such an important number, for Jesus and for us.  Especially for us.

Luke 8:1 (NIV) 
"After this, Jesus traveled about from one town and village to another, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom of God. The Twelve were with him," 

Jesus traveled with His own small group.  He taught them, He cared for them, and He loved them.  They shared meals, hardships, laughter and tears.  There were times of conflict and pain and even deception resulting in heartbreak (Judas).

The Twelve walked some difficult roads with Jesus.  They stumbled at times, turned their backs when the going got too rough, but always recognized Jesus as someone special.  It took a long time for them to see Him for the man He really was, but if not for The Twelve the Good News would not have come to us.

Read from Luke 8 here

Listen to Luke 8 here