11 “This is the meaning of the parable: The seed is the word of God. 12 Those along the path are the ones who hear, and then the devil comes and takes away the word from their hearts, so that they may not believe and be saved. 13 Those on the rocky ground are the ones who receive the word with joy when they hear it, but they have no root. They believe for a while, but in the time of testing they fall away. 14 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.
In my car the other day I noticed a few seed packets of flowers that didn’t get planted this year. It’s too late now. A seed not planted is beauty unrealized.
But the worst is the garden. We’ve been so utterly exhausted with our circumstances in life that the garden is not a priority. The tomatoes still exist, but the peppers and lettuce and other things have been choked out by the weeds. There’s just not the time or energy to deal with them. It’s a pretty awful sight.
But worst of all is the choking of the soul. There are many concerns on the table–financially, practically, medically, relationally, and more. It’s beyond… And then there is the escape to tv, movies, internet and Youtube videos. And then the pursuit of an income to figure out how to deal with shortfall.
Soul-choking.
And if faith does not come into the mix, then maturity stops. Growth is stunted. And left to just be instead of being dealt with intentionally, the life gets choked out of the soul.
It’s easy to have faith when things are working out. But to persist in trust God when there are no human answers, that’s where faith grows or slows.
A choking fish is horrid.
A choking human is worse.
Pleasures, financial issues and life’s concerns are ready to wrap around our neck.
Let us rise up in faith.
Even when we do not see.