Removing Distractions, Pt. 1

Parable of the Sower

Read Mark 4:3-9, 14-20, in the Amplified Version. (A practical aside: I love using the Amplified Bible during this season of my life. It is a great way for a busy mom to get a “quickie” word study.)

4 Types of Soil (Our Hearts & Minds)

1. Along the path – Lacking comprehension.
2. Full of rocks – Lacking depth. (The wrong rocks were put in first!)
3. Thorns and thistles – Distracted by cares & pleasures (mediocrity).
4. Undistracted & focused, much fruit. (Not mediocre! This one stands out!!)

Let us listen and hear (v. 9). Jesus wants us to pay attention (v. 3). If He is putting so much emphasis on this, He must intend for us to consider and apply it to our lives.

We’ve spent the last few weeks on #2. We have been learning to put the big rocks in first, focusing our lives around God rather than trying to fit God into the cracks and crevices. We are starting to grow in depth. Now we need to be aware of #3. This is, I believe, the greatest reason why so many believers live in mediocrity. We love the Lord, we read the Bible, and we may even pray regularly. But we are distracted by

. . . the cares and anxieties of the world and the distractions of the age, and the pleasure and delight and false glamour and deceitfulness of riches, and the craving and passionate desire for other things . . .

We allow these things to

. . . creep in and choke and suffocate the Word, and it becomes fruitless (v. 19).

It is a constant battle to keep the cares and distractions from creeping in. The “desire for other things” especially catches my attention. There are so many choices, so many pursuits, so many ways to spend our time and energy. No matter how good we get at the spiritual disciplines, if we continue to allow these things to creep in, it will all be for nothing. We may enjoy a measure of peace and victory over sin, but is that really all we want? There is so much more to us than that! There is a longing deep inside for so much more. We are the beloved of God.

. . . for I have betrothed you to one Husband, to present you as a chaste virgin to Christ. But I am fearful, lest that even as the serpent beguiled Eve by his cunning, so your minds may be corrupted and seduced from wholehearted and sincere and pure devotion to Christ (2 Corinthians 11:2, 3).

But there is hope! God is able to do in us what we cannot do:

The Lord sat as King over the deluge; the Lord sits as King forever! The Lord will give unyielding and impenetrable strength to His people; the Lord will bless His people with peace (Psalm 29:10-11).

The Lord sits over the deluge of distractions that are daily offered to us. He will give us strength. He will enable us to live in peace with our hearts and minds focused on Him.