“Listen! A sower went out to sow. And as he sowed, some seed fell on the path, and the birds came and ate it up. Other seed fell on rocky ground, where it did not have much soil and it sprang up quickly, since it had no depth of soil. And when the sun rose, it was scorched; and since it had no root, it withered away. Other seed fell among the thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked it, and it yielded no grain. Other seed fell into good ground and brought forth grain.”  Mark 4:3–8 (nrsv)

I mean to be good, rich, productive ground, but lately my days have been so hectic and demanding. There’s driving the kids to school, being room mother, my job, making meals, cleaning the house, shopping, going to the gym, having my hair done, spending time with friends and family.

I volunteer at the food pantry every week and drive my mother-in-law to her doctor appointments. That leaves little time for Bible study and fellowship. Sometimes it’s difficult to squeeze in more than a few quick prayers during the day. I’m so busy.

But those things are thorns, aren’t they? Thorns that choke out whatever I’m trying to do in the name of the Lord. I put them first and they squeeze out any time I might spend with Him. I’ve got it backward. If I don’t put Jesus first in my day, I’ll produce nothing of value. I’ve packed my days with activity, much of it for worldly pursuits. An overcrowded life chokes out what my Savior is trying to say to me. I’m deafened by the din of my own existence.

FAITH STEP: Today, give up one chore, one hour, one thing on your to-do list and sit with Jesus. Be still and know that He is God.

Written by Judy Baer