Rootless
Matthew 13:5-6 & 20-21 (NIV)
Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly because the soil was shallow. But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no root … The seed falling on rocky ground refers to someone who hears the word and at once receives it with joy. But since they have no root, they last only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, they quickly fall away.
From pineapple hedgehogs to the ghost-chilli challenge (Don't!), padded-elbow jackets to tik-tok dances, fads and fashions are comical to look back on but go out of popularity just as quickly as they came in.
It’s sad to say, that faith for some people is similar: once exciting but now a distant memory. This would have incomprehensible for the members of the early church, or for those who are still persecuted for their faith. Following Jesus was, and is for some, a matter of life or death. Nowadays we seem to forget that following Jesus is a matter of eternal life or death.
Seeing someone grow quickly in their faith and then fall away will be a familiar story to many of us. It is crucial we get alongside people in our lives who have recently come to know the Lord to help teach and guide them how to grow spiritual 'roots'.
If you are new to faith yourself, get alongside people who inspire you by the way they live their lives of faith and learn how to grow roots like them.
A lot of us who are Christians go about our lives assuming we are the ‘fertile’ soil in the parable, which makes some sense because we have come to know Christ and call ourselves by his name. But I would urge you to take a moment to think over the types of soil we have talked about so far this week, and prayerfully reflect on where your heart truly is. Take a moment to ask yourself this question: are you happy hiding amongst the crowd of believers, following the trend, or have you grown your roots deep enough so that, should you be challenged, you will stay firmly planted in Jesus?
Prayer – Father, thank you that you found me and rescued me. May my journey with you be lifelong, may I never give up my faith even when it is difficult.