Matthew 13:7, “And some fell among thorns, and the thorns sprang up and choked them.”

We have stepped into another year. A journey we’ve never taken before lies ahead. As with all years, it will have its times of joy and sorrow. There will be days when we make wise choices and days when we choose poorly. We may think the greatest danger in the Christian pilgrimage is the temptation to leave the path, but a more common danger is not what’s off the path but what’s on it. We can become so preoccupied with good things that we become distracted and stop moving forward.

After Jesus told the parable of the Sower and the seed, the disciples asked Him to explain what He meant. In verse 22, He described the thorny ground like this. “Now he who received seed among the thorns is he who hears the Word, and the cares of this world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the Word, and he becomes unfruitful.” This thorny ground seed is different from the seed Satan snatched away. It is not the same as the seed that was initially received with joy, but later fell prey to temptation. This seed became choked with things that are not necessarily wrong, but at some point, they became the focal point of that individual’s life. They are deceived by the temporary riches and cares of life, and they cease to be fruitful.

This can be one of the greatest dangers we all face. Although it’s not easy, we seem better able to fight the devil face-to-face and flee temptation. But when we are faced with things that are not necessarily wrong and give them priority over the more important things, they can choke out what had once been a vibrant experience with God. Watch out for the thorns that can spring up in your life.