The third type of ground in the Parable of the Sower is the thorny ground. In the last couple posts we learned about the importance of understanding the word and then how to get the word in our spirits. Now we will focus on the value of rest in our lives and how to break free from busyness.

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. Mat 13:22

Out of the four types of ground this has got to be the most painful and frustrating. The word is not just snatched away quick and painlessly but instead it is slowly choked and suffocated. The pain is felt from the thorns and the frustration arises from the fact that the plant is actually growing but lacking fruit.

We learn that the cares of this world and the deceitfulness of riches are the reasons why the thorny ground person does not bear fruit. It is no secret that most people are too busy. We know that stress and anxiety are responsible for a countess number of sicknesses and relational conflicts. Technology that was supposed to simplify our lives has become a double edged sword that has enslaved instead of freed us. Our schedules are full, are sleep is short and many people don’t even have time to think about why they are so busy – so the cycle continues. So how do we break it?

You can start today by carving out just twenty minutes of “quiet time.” This is a time where you put your phone on silent, turn off the monitor, shut the door, and quiet your soul. At first this can be very difficult, especially if it’s been a while since you intentionally rested your mind.

Something you can practice on a weekly basis is keeping the sabbath by taking a day to rest. God created us and He knows what we need so it’s best to follow the designers instructions for our lives. Jesus said the sabbath was made for man and not man for the sabbath. When we keep the sabbath we honor God and trust that it is better to have His blessing on our lives then to have an extra day to work. Right here is a key to break free from the busyness cycle that many of us find ourselves in.

If your life is too busy and you feel like the stony ground then do something different today. Set aside that quiet time every day and keep the sabbath every week. The results will speak for themselves but do try it for at least a couple of months consistently before you make a judgment as to rather this is right for you or not. That stony ground can take some time to be tilled.

I’ll leave you with a list of some more ideas on how to reduce busyness in your life:

  • Learn how to say no when people ask you to do something.
  • Do something you enjoy but haven’t had time to do in a long time.
  • Sing more
  • Smile more
  • Go to bed earlier
  • Wake up earlier
  • Arrive five minutes early to appointments instead of being late always.
  • Don’t gossip or be a busybody
  • Limit your intake of the news and political talk.
  • Go on walks more often
  • If you work at a computer all day take short breaks every hour.
  • Find contentment in other things besides being efficient and productive.
  • Don’t go into debt and eliminate the debt you do have.

About Josh Monen

Josh is a Christian entrepreneur who lives in Central Texas with his wife and 4 kids.