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He also that received seed among the thorns is he that heareth the word; and the care of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the word, and he becometh unfruitful. – Matthew 13:22 (KJV)
Looking at Jesus’ parable of the sower, fully one quarter of the seed sown was choked by the “weeds”, what Jesus called the “cares of this world”.
We don’t think we hold onto the cares of this world but call it something else like a “hurt” (as in, “I was hurt when …”) or call it a “disappointment” (as in, “I was disappointed in … when … ”) or see it as an abuse (as in, “The Home Owners Association did this”, or, “The Government takes too much of that”) and we think it is our “right” to hold on. One day we discover every where we look the life is being chocked right out of us; and where did our “happy” go?!
Here’s the “WEED” definition test:
Do I care about it and does it burn? (Yeah, “BURN”, you know what I mean) If so then it is a choker. We don’t just hold onto it, it holds on to us!
God has an answer!
Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you. – 1st Peter 5:6-7 (KJV)
“Casting” is an intentional act of throwing; not just letting something drop – sometimes it won’t let go without a fight. And it is not just throwing it down; it is casting it to Him.
This is God’s prescribed way of humbling ourselves – casting our cares onto Him. It is humbling to throw some things away, but oh, the rewards!!!
Think about it; here is the choice: do I work it, fret with it, think about it, plan to get even in some way, or do I throw it to Jesus choosing to let the peace of Christ rule in my heart.
After all the scheming, planning, worry, and work, what do I get, or throwing it away, what do I get? Sure, someone may smirk, someone may think they “won”, and it may turn out differently than I want, but what could possibly be worth more than the peace of God available right now.
