Groups Guy

I just wrote earlier this week on how we mature. Philippians chapter three has much to say about the process. As I continued to think about it I ran into another passage. It is a famous parable. I don’t think I’ve looked at it through the lens of the maturing process.

The parable of the sower found in Luke 8 adds a big detriment to maturing. As Jesus explains what each of the soils signify he says.

8:14 As for the seed that ⁴⁵  fell among thorns, these are the ones who hear, but ⁴⁶  as they go on their way they are choked ⁴⁷  by the worries and riches and pleasures of life, ⁴⁸  and their fruit does not mature. ⁴⁹  NET

What hit me on the discussion of maturity are those three things that stifle it. They are: worry, riches and pleasure. These seemingly innocuous issues actually curb growth. The way we worry will stunt our development. Likewise with riches and pleasures. Our culture surrounds us with these. We are so immersed in them we don’t even know they are a part of our life. Even though they are unnoticed by us their effect on us still hurts. We must look hard at these to see if any of these are wrapped in our lives and we must shove them out. Worry about life, desire for riches and escaping through pleasure will make us unfruitful.

Yet there is good news. Jesus adds three things we must do.

8:15 But as for the seed that landed on good soil, these are the ones who, after hearing ⁵⁰  the word, cling to it ⁵¹  with an honest and good ⁵² heart, and bear fruit with steadfast endurance. ⁵³   (NET)

Want to mature? Here’s three things you and I must do today.

1. Hear the Word. — read it, memorize it, meditate on it, listen to it, put an app on your smartphone.
2. Cling to the Word — this habit is depends on keeping in our mind through out the day. I find writing and journaling are such big helps. Even writing this today reminds me to practice it.
3. Steadfast Endurance — a part of the integration of the Word into our lives is the battle of fighting through difficulties.