07/10/2024
RUNNING FROM THE FIGHT
Trinity Messages Devotionals
"These likewise are the ones on stony ground who, when they hear the word, immediately receive it with gladness; and they have NO ROOT IN THEMSELVES, and so endure only for a time. Afterward, when trouble or persecution arises for the word's sake, immediately they stumble." Mark 4:16-17
In this passage of scripture, Jesus is telling the parable of "The Sower." He describes how some people love to hear His word and initially receive it with gladness, but when a storm comes or a battle breaks out...they cannot stand and fight because they "have no root in themselves."
Could you imagine having an army that when they saw the enemy coming, due to fear or self-doubt, turn and run away? In real battle, these people would be shot as deserters! Soldiers are taught to have discipline to stand and fight against the enemy, and then to take ground, not give it up.
Sometimes, we learn early on that it is easier to just quit something, rather than become disciplined and rooted and seeing it through. This can begin early in life if parents or guardians allow children to quit everything they start in the middle. This Principle does not allow children to learn how to 'dig in' and grow roots, so they can become excellent at what they do.
When my sons were learning music, they would often say: "This is too hard!" Having been there myself, I'd say: "If it were easy, everyone would do it." This helped them push through the difficult times to keep pushing and learning and become accomplished at their craft.
Learning to push through is vital to the success of our Christian walk. It's easy to quit a job, a marriage, a church, a team, a health plan or anything else. Imagine if everyone accepted 'quitting in the middle' as an option! What if your surgeon decided in the middle of your surgery that it was too difficult and just walked out of the room!
Learning to develop roots is essential to us becoming fruitful in our lives and in the Kingdom of God. Learn to fight hard and push through. Look at a tall tree. Imagine all the winters, rain-storms and wind-storms that tree has endured, to become a tree that produces fruit! It provides shade, seeds, beauty and oxygen that we breathe.
Push through your storms today. You will come out stronger...your roots will go deeper and you'll begin to like the person you're becoming.
