As a person who likes to mess around in my yard and garden beds, I carry a distinct aversion to thorns. Most weeds popping up are simply annoying, but certain ones here in Colorado carry tiny thorns, painful when I grab the plant to yank it from the ground. These require leather gloves to pull without cussing (or at least with only a minimum of curses).

Jesus tells us of a sower, a planter of seed, who also dealt with thorns. Some of the seed fell upon rocky soil and failed to properly root. Others fell in an area infested with thorns. The seed grew, but the power of the thorns choked out the mature plants.

The parable refers to the word of God, and you and I the seed scattered across the fields. I picture myself in the field of thorns:

Still others, like seed sown among thorns, hear the word; but the worries of this life, the deceitfulness of wealth and the desire for other things come in and choke the word, making it unfruitful.

The phrase Jesus chose—the desire for other things—rings loud. What other things?

Literally, as I read this passage, I thought about checking a detail on the phone in my pocket. This very instant. I desire endless scrolling. I desire more stuff and more entertainment, and I’m already mourning the coming conclusion of the football season (while my wife rejoices). I desire to know the news of the world, and I hope to look good in the eyes of those around me.

One more desire bubbles up. I allow thorns to root in order to avoid the introspection the Holy Spirit brings, especially through quiet, unhindered time in the scriptures. The thorns suffocate his quiet voice, allowing me to roll forward in an oblivious haze of digital living.

In my garden, thorns take a practiced eye and thick gloves to clear. Thorns are ever present, and I’m always looking to nip them in the bud. In my life, I need the Lord to help me identify the thorns, and give me the grace and courage to clear them.

Here’s to a thornless, or more in line with real life—a thorn inhibited—2022.

Mark 4 in reading the Bible cover to cover in 2022

Photo by Jesse Dodds