Just as I found my page I got an important text message. I replied and started reading Luke 8, the parable of the sower. I've read this story many times and thought I could probably just skip it, but continued reading. More text messages, and more replies. "A farmer went out to sow his seed and some seed fell along the path." vs 5. By this time I had my Bible open, but I was thinking about the text messages and everything else that didn't have anything to do with what I was reading. "Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up with it and choked the plants." vs 7.
Has this ever happened to you? You sit down to have a quiet moment with God and lots of things happen that get you distracted? Or you are so busy with so many things that you don't even find 5 minutes to spend with God? Does it happen to you that you just keep on going all day long and finally hit the bed and thank God for the exhausting day when you are already almost in dream land? Isn't life just getting busier and busier? Daniel 12 talks about the time at the end of the world and verse 4 says that many will rush from here and there, and knowledge will increase. Isn't it talking about us now? Aren't we just running from here and there?
Last week I was watching a music video from the 1970's and I couldn't help but think that life seemed so much easier back then. What is happening?
As I continued reading the parable of the sower, I got to the part where Jesus explained to His disciples the meaning of it all and verse 14 really hit home. "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."
Wow! I've always applied this parable to people who are making a decision for Christ, but never thought that it could actually be applied to me right now. Can it be that I hear God's words, but I'm so distracted with life that they have no effect on me? Is God's influence in my life being chocked up by my worries? Is spending time with God simply a good habit of mine, but is doing me no good? Is God's word in my life at this time falling among thorns?
I stopped replying to the text messages, looked at the incredible nature in front of me, and quietly meditated upon the words I had just read. God was telling me something. He was helping me understand that I need to slow down, that I need to enjoy my time with Him. He was telling me once more that I need not to worry and that I do not need to take more and more upon myself. He was once again helping me understand that the most important was for me to seek Him first. And I did... that morning I got to spend some pretty nice time with my God. He's so awesome. I love Him!
If you are also feeling chocked up by life's worries take warning. Don't let that prevent you from receiving the amazing blessings God has for you in His word. Quiet time with Him is extremely important. He truly enjoys spending time with you, but in the end you are the one who benefits the most. God's mathematics defies all logic. The more time we spend with Him, the more we get done. I love what Martin Luther once said, "I have so much business I cannot get on without spending three hours daily in prayer." He had learned that the more he had to do, the more time in prayer he needed.
Enjoy your time with God. Don't let His word fall on thorny ground. Even if you get to spend only 5 minutes with Him, enjoy those precious minutes to the maximum. Seek Him first, and then all those other things you think you need to get done will be taken care of. They sure did for me.
"But the
seed on good soil stands for those with a noble and good heart, who
hear the word, retain it,
and by persevering produce a crop."
Luke 8:15
