Today's Devotion -- Mt 13:18-23
18"Listen then to what the parable of the sower means: 19When anyone hears the message about the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what was sown in his heart. This is the seed sown along the path. 20The one who received the seed that fell on rocky places is the man who hears the word and at once receives it with joy. 21But since he has no root, he lasts only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, he quickly falls away. 22The one who received the seed that fell among the thorns is the man who hears the word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke it, making it unfruitful. 23But the one who received the seed that fell on good soil is the man who hears the word and understands it. He produces a crop, yielding a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown." (NIV)
taken from www.biblegateway.com
Usually when I read the parable of the sower, I think about a group of people hearing God's word for the first time. Some 'get it', some don't. And since I have accepted Christ, I presumed (hoped!) I was one of the people who hear the word, understand it, and produce results for the kingdom of God.
But as I read through the chapters for our study today, looking for some verse to pop out as a good devotion thought, I realized that I am any one (or all) four of these types of people on a given day.
Sometimes I'll read a verse that puzzles me. However, instead of reading the text notes at the bottom of the page or doing a little research, I pass it by and hope to understand it in context. Or most likely I just forget about it and I read on. In essence, I've let the evil one snatch that learning opportunity away.
Other times I'll read a verse that really resonates with me and I make a mental note to remember where it is. I might even underline it for future reference. But an hour later I'd be hard pressed to tell you what that verse was about. And the chances of me leaning on it when tough times come is pretty slim. At best I'll remember 'there is a verse in the Bible somewhere about this....' and I won't be able to find it again.
Many days I take my quiet time and read or study with best of intentions for what I'm learning. But pretty soon my kids wake up, the boys fight, we have places to go and things to do...and any peace or knowledge I gained from my morning time seems to have been lost in the midst of life.
I desperately want to be 'good soil'. I want to be able to read, understand, learn, and remember the messages God has to share. But so often time, distractions, obligations, and my increasingly feeble memory seem to win out.
What disciplines have you put in place to ensure that the things you learn are translated into productive actions for God?
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