Today’s scripture: Mark 4:26-29 (ESV-text and audio) (KJV) (The Message)
As you read, consider: What might God be saying to me? Summarize your thoughts in a sentence or two.
My thoughts (Brent Walsh):
“That’s it!” I said to myself. “I’ve had enough!” I was standing over a plot of ground next to my garage that had, at one time, been a nicely landscaped area. But the owners who had worked so hard to make the yard look nice eventually moved and rented the house out. After that, the landscape was lucky to get a haircut every once in a while. The flower beds were free to grow as they pleased, and the one over which I stood was doing just that! It was not going to be tamed without a fight. and this was just the day for that fight!
I attacked it with such vigor that it had no chance to defend itself. I hacked away at all the weeds until there was nothing but dirt. I carefully laid down some heavy-duty weed barrier, and then piled the entire area with a mountain of mulch. When I was done, it was like an entire 80’s hair band had just gone to boot camp! I smiled at the transformation, wiped my hands and called it a day.
That was just under two weeks ago. Yesterday I took a stroll around my yard to survey my domain. As I turned the corner and approached my newest conquest, I just about tripped over my jaw! Right there in the middle of my beautiful mulch bed were several huge thistles, flexing their muscles and taunting me! I couldn’t believe it! They had worked their way up through the dirt, through the weed barrier and through a mountain of mulch to stand proudly in front of me, against all odds.
How did they manage that? I don’t know. What I do know is that these thistles did not look at the things that were keeping them down and give up. They were made to grow, so they pushed through every obstacle and found a way to thrive.
The kingdom of God is made up of all types of people. Some of us are like corn, planted in neat rows for the purpose of feeding the hungry. Some are like daffodils, blooming just in time to brighten up a dreary rain season. Some are like medicinal plants that reverse illness, ease irritation or cure disease. Some are like wildflowers that roam the hills and valleys looking for adventure in undiscovered terrain. And then there are you thistles out there, flexing your muscles and pushing your way through impossible obstacles to surface victorious when no one thought you could.
Thought for the day: Whether we are deliberately planted in a certain spot for a certain purpose, or whether our existence defies all odds, we were created to grow. Do we feed the hungry? Do we brighten up lives? Do we heal the sick? Keep growing. Does your growth and self-discovery offend those around you? Do they want to smother your voice and trample your dreams? Keep growing. Flex your muscles and keep growing!
We encourage you to include a time of prayer with this reading. If you need a place to get started, consider the guidelines on the How to Pray page.