How many of you get frustrated whenever you see a beautiful flower and try to pick it up only to discover the stem is full of thorns? I do. Sadly, I can’t tell a thistle flower from cute field flowers. So, I get pricked from time to time. Of course, some of these flowers are actually weeds.

In today’s soil, the farmer’s seed falls among the thorns in most versions. In The Message, it is translated as weeds. In any case, the seed’s growth is choked to the point that there is no crop – no growth – no fruit. Through the three passages we see Jesus explain that the message is received but there are a variety of things that suffocate any fruit from growing. It could be the worries and cares of life, or desired pleasures of the world like having fun, or a passion for possessions suffocates any growth. There’s even the false security that comes from wealth or fame. (Mark AMP, Matthew, Luke)

I feel this is the one ground we all can relate to, in one or more ways.

How many times do you return from a conference or dynamic sermon message to be hit by non-urgent family demands like a two-by-four across the face? We get so consumed with the immediate need or chores that we forget where we placed our notes from the lesson. Before we know it, our quiet time with the Lord is non-existent. And, if we ever find the notes, we either forget what we wanted to implement or we doubt we will be able to make any change.

Let’s not ignore the pressure in life to make money or gain fame … to have the means to spend on fun and pleasures and priceless moments. To charge our way into possessing the newest “thing” to hit the market. Does that wealth – or fame – give you the same security that the Lord does? Does seeking it get in the way of time with the Lord? Does it consume thoughts?

Before we leave this soil, there’s one detail that is often overlooked. I know I have. In the story, we see that the thorns grow up with us and choke the growth. It makes me think of clipping a rose. If I’m not careful, I’ll prick my finger when I want to trim the stem.

So what are the thorns that have grown up with you? It may not be a hard as rock place. But, maybe its a sensitive subject. Is there something that is hard to discuss or let go of? Could this hidden thorn be choking your fruit for the Lord?

The Holy Spirit has been sweet with me to show me only one thorn at a time. He will do the same with you. The thorns within us don’t always hurt others. Most of the time it is as the passage reads, our growth is hindered. There is hope for change. Reach for growth and allow the Lord to show you what needs to be trimmed away.