So I’m re-reading Crazy Love by Francis Chan for a study that myself and few friends from work are doing…just got to Chapter 4 and it hits as hard a year and a half after I first read it….

In the parable of the sower, Jesus explained that the seed is the truth (the Word of God). When the seed is flung onto the path, it is heard but quickly stolen away. When the seed is tossed onto the rocks, no roots take hold; there is an appearance of depth and growth because of the good soil, but it is only surface level. When the seed is spread among the thorns, it is received but soon suffocated by life’s worries, riches, and pleasures. But when the seed is sown in good soil, it grows, takes root, and produces fruit.

My caution to you is this: Do not assume you are good soil.

I think most American churchgoers are the soil that chokes the seed because of all the thorns. Thorns are anything that distracts us from God. When we want God and bunch of other stuff, then that means we have thorns in our soil. A relationship with God simply cannot grow when money, sins, activities, favorite sports teams, addictions, or commitments are piled on top of it.

Do not assume you are good soil. I think that as churchgoers, that is an assumption we make far too naturally. This is far too important to make that assumption. Is there evidence of God’s transforming power in your life?

Who are you reading/listening to that is challenging you the most?