SWORD OF THE SPIRIT                                                                                               1370

“Along the Path”

Listen! Behold, a sower went out to sow. And as he sowed, some seed fell along the path, and the birds came and devoured it.

Other seed fell on rocky ground, where it did not have much soil, and immediately it sprang up, 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 thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked it, and it yielded no grain.

And other seeds fell into good soil and produced grain, growing up and increasing and yielding thirtyfold and sixtyfold and a hundredfold. And he said, “He who has ears to hear, let him hear.” – Mark 4:3-9

The Lord reminded me of our reference Scripture on a recent road trip in northeast Georgia. As we traveled on a rural road, we came upon a stretch of highway that paralleled railroad tracks.

Along the Path – The Railroad Tracks defined a pre-ordained path to a destination, and for a time, I was headed in that direction as I drove ‘along the path’.

If anyone serves me, he must follow me; – John 12:26

I saw the road I was driving on as a metaphor for the Christian life that is ‘along the path.’ Many of us who proclaim to be Christian have the appearance of following Christ, but we do so with divided affections. We have received the seeds of the Word of God, but the deceitfulness of the world prevents the Truth of the Word from establishing deep roots and bearing fruit.

Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him; When anyone hears the word of the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what has been sown in his heart. This is what was sown along the path. – 1 John 2:15; Matthew 13:19

Rocky Ground. The railroad track bed is on rocky ground. Nothing should grow there that would hinder clear passage by the train. It is designed to be solid ground, stable and firm.

The road I was on was rough in spots with potholes that shook and rattled us and our vehicle while the railroad tracks appeared solid and stable. The trials of life are tough to navigate when we go in our own strength and ability.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. – Proverbs 3:5-6

How rocky is the soil of the garden of my heart? Will the seeds of the Truth of the Word of God take root there and bear fruit for the Kingdom?

As for what was sown on rocky ground, this is the one who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy, yet he has no root in himself, but endures for a while, and when tribulation or persecution arises on account of the word, immediately he falls away. – Matthew 13:20-2

Among Thorns – Weeds, thorns, and the like all seem to be able to grow where nothing else will, and they were evident along the path of the railroad tracks.

For land that has drunk the rain that often falls on it and … bears thorns and thistles, it is worthless and near to being cursed, and its end is to be burned; And as for what fell among the thorns, they are those who hear, but as they go on their way they are choked by the cares and riches and pleasures of life, and their fruit does not mature. – Hebrews 6:7-8; Luke 8:14

The road we followed took us through towns. The railroad tracks were on my right. On my left were the trappings of the world with stores and shops selling material goods. Billboards enticed us with everything from food to immoral adult only shops. The thorns that choke the seed of the Word of God in our hearts take many varied forms.

Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life. Keep steady my steps according to your promise, and let no iniquity get dominion over me; – Proverbs 4:23; Psalm 119:133

Good Soil – For a time the road and the path of the train that I followed traversed fertile farmland. Crops were bountiful and the fruit of the land was evident. How fertile is the soil of the garden of my heart? Will the seeds of the Truth of the Word of God take root there and bear fruit for the Kingdom?

But those that were sown on the good soil are the ones who hear the word and accept it and bear fruit, thirtyfold and sixtyfold and a hundredfold; He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers – Mark 4:20; Psalm 1:3

Our Prayer: The road I was on eventually steered away from the path of the railroad tracks and for a time I could still see them and then, after a bit, I was fully encompassed by the world.

I have given them your word, and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. I do not ask that you take them out of the world, but that you keep them from the evil one. – John 17:14-15

Father, may the seed of Your Word be firmly rooted in the fertile soil of my heart. May it bear fruit for Your Kingdom. May I always follow Jesus and the path You have ordained for me in this world. Thank You, Jesus for ransoming me and that my final destination is eternal life with You!