The Threat of Busyness

The seed falling among the thorns refers to someone who hears the word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke the word, making it unfruitful.

Matthew 13:22

Here is the typical American. What is the trouble? Busyness, that's all. It is not that he is uninterested; he is interested in the gospel. It is not that he is shallow; he isn't. He is very capable of thinking in depth, of analysis of issues and long meditation. He does it in business and his social life. The trouble is that he wants it all. He wants the fruitfulness of life that comes from the gospel, but with it he also wants everything else. He wants the so-called finer things of life. We describe him as trying to keep up with the Joneses. (That means buying things you don't need with money you don't have to impress people you don't even like.) He wants the latest TV set, and a swimming pool, and a fine home, and two beautiful cars, and a wide social life. The result is that he has no time to think about the word, no time to receive it and meditate. He is too wrapped up with the cares of this world and the pursuit of things.

When my daughters were younger, one of them used to like to go riding with me in the car. I would invite her to go with me but she always wanted to take all her friends. I don't mean the neighborhood children. Her friends were her teddy bear and her stuffed rabbit and her dolls and some other toys. When I'd ask her to go, she would run and grab the bear and the rabbit and three dolls and several other kinds of toys, and would come running with her arms filled and try to get into the car. But there wasn't room for them all, and so she had to choose between me and her friends. I guess I won most of the time, but she was too intent on taking everything with her.

That is what is happening with people today. They want it all. They want everything that the world can offer and everything God can offer. But the remarkable thing about the word is that God will never settle on those terms. He is always saying, But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well (Matthew 6:33). What good will it be for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? (Matthew 16:26)

Thank you, Father, for the promise you give. There's nothing worth more than you. Wean me from the many good things that get in the way of the best things.