S)"14 The seed which fell among the thorns, these are the ones who have heard, and as they go on their way they are choked with worries and riches and pleasures of this life, and bring no fruit to maturity."
Luke 8:14 (NASB)
O) This is from the parable of the sower. Jesus is describing one of the ways that the seed, which is the word of God, can fall to the ground, and what will become of it. He gives 4 examples, only 1 of which bears fruit. I know this parable pretty well, but somehow, I'd missed a small part of this verse that has pretty big implications. The seed (and its plant) are not just choked out with the worries and/or riches of this life, but also with the pleasures of this life. I think most Christians recognize that it's not good to worry, and we know that "Mo Money Mo Problems" was actually a Biblical principle before it was ever a Puff Daddy song. But pleasures...? It's all about balance and perspective. The end result of this seed which fell among thorns is not that the plant died, but that it brought "no fruit to maturity." So, pleasures aren't a bad thing, in and of themselves, but are the pleasures preventing you from having a mature, fruitful life?
A) The first thing I need to do, is to inspect my fruit. Has my life been bearing fruit, and what is its condition? I think I've had a fairly fruitful life lately, but I can definitely see some areas where the fruit could be sweeter... I need to be careful with how, or how much, I pursue pleasures. I like to play games, but am I obsessing? I like reading comic books (yes, still!), but is that taking the place of reading books that will edify my life? I don't want a guilty of pleasure of spoiled fruit.
P) Father, help me prioritize my life, Lord. I want to see everything in my life as being Yours, including my time management and my "leisure" time. I like casual activities, but help me value them for the right reasons. Prune me, Father, and help me get rid of bad fruit to make room for new growth. Holy Spirit, show me the will of the Father and help me to see the areas in my life that are truly wasted time. Show me the areas of my life that are fruitless, and help me give them up. I want to grow in You, God. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.
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