“Listen to this! Behold, the sower went out to sow; as he was sowing, some seed fell beside the road, and the birds came and ate it up.  Other seed fell on the rocky ground where it did not have much soil; and immediately it sprang up because it had no depth of soil.  And after the sun had risen, it was scorched; and because it had no root, it withered away.  Other seed fell among the thorns, and the thorns came up and choked it, and it yielded no crop.  Other seeds fell into the good soil, and as they grew up and increased, they yielded a crop and produced thirty, sixty, and a hundredfold.”  And He was saying, “He who has ears to hear, let him hear.” Mark 4:3-9 (NASB)

Jesus drew near the sea and the crowds gathered around Him expectantly and listened.  He began to teach about planting…seeds falling by the road, birds eating them up, rocky soil, thorns, and roots that don’t grow deep.  His words didn’t make sense to some and I wonder how I would have received them. As often as Jesus drew close to the water’s edge, I think I could have easily followed Him when He walked on earth.  But I live in a different world, and the sound of the waves breaking is miles away.  I sit at my desk and try to study, distracted by Facebook, snapchat, music, and phone calls.  This type of communication can have its benefit, but there is something we miss when we aren’t sitting with someone and hearing their voice.  And the intimacy that comes from looking another in the eye can’t be dismissed. Mary sat at Jesus’ feet and had no distractions.   How much more did she learn as she treasured each word He spoke? I long to be in Jesus presence and hear His voice!

Now as they were traveling along, He entered a village; and a woman named Martha welcomed Him into her home.  She had a sister called Mary, who was seated at the Lord’s feet, listening to His word. But Martha was distracted by all her preparations. Luke 10: 38-40 (NASB)

On this day Jesus spoke in parables, urgently reminding the crowd to listen to Him. He required their undivided attention. If it was hard to do back then, and they needed a reminder, how much more difficult is it today?   Chances are most of us would be checking our text and voicemail messages, and answering our phones as we sat with Jesus. But we need to be hearers of His word and not miss His message! God plants His word in our hearts, and for some, Satan quickly snatches it. Others may hear the truth and receive it, but when trials come, they stumble and fall. They forget God’s promises, doubt His way, and become useless. They don’t even realize what happened until it is too late!

Struggling to overcome, some of us let the desires of our heart and worries choke out the truth.   Like thorns that prick and hurt, they render us ineffective. And we are unable to bear fruit. Money and material possessions will never provide lasting happiness. Distractions will win as the craving for attention and immediate gratification draws us away. We are unable to fulfill God’s calling in our life. And that is exactly where Satan wants us…unproductive. We must fight the battle with wisdom and perseverance!

Good soil takes work and must be ready for God’s planting. It must be tilled, rocks and weeds picked out, and fertilizer added.  Likewise, we must be willing to hear and accept His truth. And go forth and produce fruit. We have to do our part to prepare our hearts, and ask ourselves what hinders His calling. For many it is our busy schedules and the things that distract us. We must choose our activities carefully and simplify our life. For some it is an addiction they suffer with in silence and shame. I live in a garden surrounded by thorns of self-doubt and fear. I care too much what people think. My voice is silenced before it’s ever heard! God wants each of His followers to overcome. To be hearers of His word who respond in faith, and live transformed lives. Only then will we produce abundantly!

I’m reminded of my meadow mint that grows out of control every year through my herb garden. If I don’t keep on top of it, cutting it back and pulling out the new plants fleeing their boundaries, it takes over everything. We have railroad ties strategically placed to contain it. It inevitably sneaks under them and takes over the other gardens. This year it had already threatened my chives, basil, and oregano.   My prayer is we will all grow with such zeal that nothing can stop us! May we fearlessly grow and bear fruit wherever God plants us.

Blessings,

Lily Mae