Hi friends – The next verse of scripture I am going to highlight is from Matthew 6:22 and it talks about thorny soil. As mentioned before I love how God uses word pictures to illustrate and get our attention about the reality of life. My husband has been growing raspberries for us for several years. They are delicious but the thorns that this prickly fruit produces is extreme. Keep this image in your mind as we look at this scripture:
22 The seed falling among the thorns refers to someone who hears the word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke the word, making it unfruitful.
Part way through this scripture it talks about the worries of life. We can all relate to worries. We have all been there when the challenges or valleys in life cause us to worry. Please understand that it is unlikely to have a worry-free life (shocking I know). Think back to the raspberry illustration and how prickly those thorns (or worries) can become. The pain can be all-consuming at times. What I would encourage you to do (and as mentioned in my last blog post), is get connected to a church and a small group. Trials and tribulations are doing to happen in life. Being connected to a church will give you a sense of community and provides a caring, nurturing environment to work through these times. God loves us enough to provide guidance, direction, and warnings about what can happen when we experience things like worry in our life. When you stay connected to a church family, this allows you to grow, talk about those worries that you are experiencing and be fruitful in the gifts that God has given you. God has given each of you unique gifts. Knowing that your life has a purpose, meaning and value is life-changing. Just something for all of you to think about.
Until next time my friends remember you are known and loved by God. Blessings!
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