As you may remember, I’ve been reading Crazy Love by Francis Chan – and no, I’m still not finished (I know, I’m terribly slow!). One of the things he stated (and stated and restated) in one of the chapters was in reference to the parable of the soils, where he emphatically stated “Do not assume you are good soil.”

I’ll be honest and admit that I have probably always considered myself to be good soil, and at the very least, I’ve always tried to be. But then, as I was doing my daily Bible reading recently, I came to Mark’s account of this parable and I had to stop, because I noticed something I hadn’t seen before. Take a look for yourself:

Now these are the ones sown among thorns; they are the ones who hear the word, and the cares of this world, the deceitfulness of riches, and the desires for other things entering in choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful.

The ones who are considered to be thorny soil are the ones, yes, like I’ve always thought & heard, who go after riches! Most of the time, though, that’s about all I let penetrate my brain. Thorny = chasing riches. So, in my mind, I’ve just had to tell myself, Hey, Emily, don’t love riches! But read that again. That’s not the only thing the verse says.

Now these are the ones sown among thorns; they are the ones who hear the word, and the cares of this world, the deceitfulness of riches, and the desires for other things entering in choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful.

What are these “desires for other things”? It obviously doesn’t have to be riches. It could be, sure, but don’t limit the Word to that. In your life (or mine), it could manifest itself in a completely different way than simply desiring riches. It could be desiring that your kids excel in school or sports. It could be desiring to be thing and/or physically attractive. Maybe It’s desiring adventure and travel, or desiring true love. There are a host of other things we could desire, and all of our lists probably look different. But, since the Bible’s entire message goes together,we know that anything, however innocent and good it may be, anything that detracts from our Christ-focus is sinful. See for yourself:

Now it happened as they journeyed on the road, that someone said to Him, “Lord, I will follow You wherever You go.” And Jesus said to him, “Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head.”  Then He said to another, “Follow Me.” But he said, “Lord, let me first go and bury my father.” Jesus said to him, “Let the dead bury their own dead, but you go and preach the kingdom of God.”And another also said, “Lord, I will follow You, but let me first go and bid them farewell who are at my house.” But Jesus said to him, “No one, having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.”  (Luke 9:57-62)

“If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, and his own life also, he cannot be My disciple.” (Luke 14:26)

But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. (Matt. 6:33)

Let us all be ever watchful for the things in our lives that we have a tendency to place above Jesus and above doing God’s will. Even our husbands, children and family come after our dedication to following Jesus. Never be so naive to think, automatically, that you’re the good soil; however, never, ever allow yourself to be thorny.