A Short Revelation of Mark 4: How To Grow

One of the greatest (if not THE greatest) obstacle in the christian walk is receiving encouragement from God through His word without loosing it shortly there after. It’s like a spiritual roller coaster. There are ups and downs. We pray that we stay on top, but inevitably we zoom back to the bottom. And moreover, it’s not a gradual descent. It’s like one of my favorite coasters at Busch Gardens. You spend the first few minutes getting to the top. Much work is done in getting their. It’s exhilarating and worth the anticipation to see all of Tampa from a top. However, in an instance you are hurled back to earth. The drop is scary and causes a knot in your stomach that makes you want to vomit your popcorn and churro. The Christian walk is much the same.

Is there a way to stay on top? Mark chapter 4 gives us some insight and real advice in how the top of the roller coaster can be extended and the drop not so dangerous. Stick with me here…

As we observe the parable of the sower and soils in Mark 4:1-20 Jesus is telling a story of how God is like a sower (farmer) who plants seeds (His word which produces love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness & self-control). He gives 4 possible scenarios:

1. Seed on the side of the road (bad)
2. Seed on the rocks (really bad)
3. Seed in the thorns (horrible)
4. Seed in good soil (yeah God!)

He goes on to explain in the parable saying the outcome of each seed actually taking “root” would be:

1. Satan will take it away
2. They receive with joy but there is not a solid root so it quickly fades away because of sickness and persecution
3. Worries of the world and the lies of riches choke it out of you
4. Solid, healthy soil will produce “fruit” up to a hundredfold

How does this apply to us and how can we insure a solid, healthy soil in which God can produce “good fruit” in us?

If we look at this same parable and apply it today God gives us a clear way in which we can be encouraged and stay in a position of being in high spots of our walk. So here’s how it works using the same 4 scenarios asking a few questions of yourself:

1. Are  you on the side of the road walking along the wrong path or on you on the road that leads you to a healthy place with God? Many of us are too fearful to even step on the right road because it requires faith and trust. God has probably told you exactly where He wants you to be, but because of circumstances, fears, and selfishness we are unwilling to get on the road. The outcome is clear: Satan will “snatch” anything and everything that God wants to do right in your life because you are unwilling to get on the road.
2. Are you existing in a constant state of instability and chaos? Perhaps you have finally begun walking on the road God has called you to, however, you are unstable. You operate in a constant state of chaos and instability. Sure, you get encouraged every once in a while. You experience a little bit of joy, but the second some sickness or persecution comes along you begin to shake off all the good stuff God tried to accomplish in you. You live on a roller coaster with constant ups and downs. You MUST put yourself in a position of stability and discipline. Wake up when you are supposed to get up. Read your bible daily. Create a healthy routine. Figure out whatever it is that is bringing chaos in your life and FLEE from it. Don’t make excuses either. We all have one but with this it won’t hold water.
3. Have you surrounded yourself with thorny bushes? What I mean is this: are you hanging out with people who seem to choke the life out of you? Are you doing things that suck your joy? Are you being lied to by fame and fortune? If so it’s time to get a new set of friends and recalibrate your objectives in life. I know what you are thinking: “I can’t just leave my friends because Jesus wants to  love and encourage them.” True. However, if they are causing you harm in your own walk you need to take an extended break from them until the time comes where you will not so easily be swayed and discouraged. They are the thorn bushes. Step away while you still can. This will perhaps be the most challenging portion of how you can set yourself in a healthy walk with God—but you MUST make the decision to walk away from the wrong friends and the wrong goals in your life.
4. Have you overcome the previous 3 areas that kills us and sucks our joy? Sweet! God makes a promise that you will produce up to a hundredfold of fruit. Don’t get relaxed and lazy! There will be days when you come down from the top of the coaster, however, it will be a bit more predictable and a slower descent. Why do we have to come down? Glad you asked—because that is when God grows us and takes us to a new level of relationship, trust, and faith with Him. If you don’t believe me read the book of James sometime.

So how do we grow in our walk with God? We listen to His advice in Mark 4. Get on the road and off the wrong path. Put yourself in a position of stability and remove the chaos this is sucking your life from you. Get away from the wrong people who will “lovingly” choke you to death. You have to make a conscious choice to listen to God’s advice. Even Jesus said, “Listen to this!” before he began the parable.