Tag: Practical living

Choke Hold

~ Sowmya Gali

Matthew 13: 7

Others fell among the thorns, and the thorns came up and choked them out.

Jesus, continuing the Parable of the Sower, mentions about the seed that fell among thorns. Even though these seeds found good soil, the thorns that grew around them were overpowering and didn’t allow the plants to thrive. They must have sprouted well alongside the thorns. The thorny bushes that grew alongside these plants dominate and push against them, crushing them in the process.

A BBC video about Giant Water Lily pads highlights the domineering effects of a thorny plant. It starts off as a seed the size of a pea deep in the murky waters of the Amazon bayou. As the sprouted stem surfaces, which is already armed with spikes and thorns all around, clears the surface with its giant thorny wand. Once the space is cleared, the leaf then unfolds. As its leaf unfolds, it clears, skewers and chokes any other plant growing nearby. Not only does this leaf cover the surface of the water by pushing away other aquatic plants but it even prevents any sunlight from penetrating underneath the surface to the plants that grow in the water. Additionally, the stem and the underside of the leaf is covered with spines that protect it from fish or other herbivores nipping at it. This giant water lily pad grows up to 10 feet in diameter and can hold up to 140 pounds of weight. [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SM-Ilh2lHZk]

Just like the water lily pad that dominates and chokes out life from plants growing nearby, the worries of the world, the lure of the riches, and the distractions of the devil prick us, skewer us and eventually choke us. Despite the Word being sown in us, it has not developed fully to dominate and influence life around us. Instead, the choke holds of the world around us have dominated and influenced our lives. Even before we’ve gained strength, we have been snubbed. Even before we’ve grown some leaves, we have been choked. Even before we’ve blossomed, we have been skewered.

Matthew 13: 22And the one on whom seed was sown among the thorns, this is the man who hears the word, and the worry of the world and the deceitfulness of wealth choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful.

As God’s Word is sown in our lives, it is imperative that we sprout, grow, blossom and bear fruit. What good it is if that seed doesn’t sprout? It is as good as dead. Life’s struggles are difficult. Life’s cares are cumbersome. Life’s temptations are distractions. However, if our roots are established strongly in the Word of God, then the cares of the world and deceits of the world will not impede us from growing. We will experience such growth and fruitfulness that the once domineering and choking factors of our past will fade away as we grow towards the bright light of the Risen Son. The power of the Holy Spirit will break away any choke hold or any chain that has entrapped us. We are meant to grow, blossom and bear fruit. With willing hearts, God is so able to multiply us and flourish us.

Beloved, give chance to the seed that has been sown. Give room for growth. Don’t let the choke holds of this life and this world, skewer and ensnare you. God, the Sower will enable you to have such an influence around you that even the thorns about you will be turned into beautiful blossoms. Such is the might of our Lord and the influence of His power.

Loose Footing

~ Sowmya Gali

Mark 4: 5-6

Other seed fell on the rocky ground where it did not have much soil; and immediately it sprang up because it had no depth of soil.

And after the sun had risen, it was scorched; and because it had no root, it withered away.

Continuing with the parable of the sower, Jesus mentions the seed that fell among rocky ground. Seeds that fall on rocky ground tend to find instant moisture and sprout. Their roots are shallow. However, due to lack of firm and deeper roots, such plants tend to wither very quickly. Any outside force like wind or water or heat will quickly kill the plant. If the roots had firm hold in the soil underneath those rocks, then, they probably would survive. A stronger and deeper root keeps a plant healthy, steady and strong despite the changing weather patterns and other external factors.

Jesus likens such seed to people who receive God’s Word gladly but due to lack of firm footing in the Word, get distracted or affected by outside influences. In Luke’s Gospel of Jesus Christ, Jesus explains that such people believe for a while but in time of temptation, give up on God. In Matthew’s Gospel of Jesus Christ, Jesus adds that such a person with no firm root in himself, falls easily into temptation or when a small persecution arises, immediately falls away. Their joy of receiving the Word of God is only temporary.

For a plant to grow, they need their root structure to be firmly established before they even put out their first stem or first set of leaves. Once the seed’s root is established, now the small sprouted seed tries to put its energy into sending forth a stem and slowly leaves. If the root has not gone down deep enough, if it hasn’t established a firm footing in the soil, then sure enough, any environmental forces can curb its growth. Rocky places are not ideal places to establish roots.

In my own gardening experience, I’ve noticed this difference with succulents. When they have rocky soil, they will struggle for a few days. But over watering or exposure to extreme weather can kill them. Many a times, they are beyond revival. However, when the same succulents are planted in well-draining, nutrient rich soil, they thrive and establish their roots. Once the roots are established, they put out new leaves. Even if extreme weather conditions seem to beat down on the plant, they will conserve their energy and wait for right conditions to continue to grow again.

How is the Seed – God’s Word planted in our lives? Are we on rocky soil finding hard to establish roots? Are we easily swayed by temptation? Are we quick to give up on God when faced with persecution? Do outside forces influence us more than the Word of God? Do we hold our peace when facing a trial? Or do we find ourselves anxious and restless at the slightest disturbance?

If our faith is deep enough, confident enough, and strong enough in the Lord, we can endure any kind of stormy weather. No outside influence can uproot us. In these dark days, it is imperative that we let down our roots deeper in the Word of God. With numerous distractions, lies and deception to steer us away from the path that God set before us, it is vital for us to check our root system and the surroundings that we are placed in. Are the people around us enhancing our growth or are they stumbling rocks that are hindering our healthy growth? Are life’s trials and temptations keeping us grounded in the Truth of the Gospel or are we being easily carried away by a slight tickle of the ear?

In exhortation, John 15: 5

I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing.