The Thorns Chasing the Carrot

Mark 4:7 (KJV) And some fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up, and choked it, and it yielded no fruit. We are still reading about the seed that is being sown. The seed hits the hard Pathway and is quickly taketh away. The Stoney Ground is a little better but not good enough to produce any roots. Now the seed falls in among the thorns and it begins to grow, finally it looks like we are headed in the right direction. Wait, those thorns grow up and choke the life out and there’s no fruit. Here’s the meaning Jesus gives of “Something real in life or nature, from which a moral is drawn for instruction.” The seed leaves the hand of the sower and lands in the thorns and is choked.  The seed is the Word and satan has gotten the Pathway seed, the second seed falls on Stony ground but no roots. Now the seed is in the thorns and it’s  life is choked out.  

Mark 4:18 (KJV) And these are they which are sown among thorns; such as hear the word,

Mark 4:19 (KJV) And the cares of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the lusts of other things entering in, choke the word, and it becometh unfruitful. They hear BUT the cares of this World become more important. The deceit of wealth will more make me happier. That’s chasing the carrot! What does that mean?  In days gone by, a carrot was tied to a stick in front of a mule or stubborn horse to make them step forward and walk ahead. They were never able to reach the carrot. Chasing the carrot is simply attempting to reach the unreachable. 🥕🏃‍♂️I have a friend whose dad chased the carrot all over the U.S. He told me it was hard to have childhood friends. Because just about the time you were getting settled in Dad would get a better paying job and we were gone to another state. Then there’s the Lust of other things. What’s the result? Not enough time to Worship the God of our salvation. We are too busy, the lake, the boats, the cars, time spent with friends, trips, resting, camping, shows, football, baseball, racing, deer, rabbit, coon, turkey hunting, Lust of other things. Lust has a far greater depth than just sneaking off and meeting up with your co-worker. What’s the result? God’s Word is choked and there’s no fruit of it to be enjoyed by you or your family. The Lust of other things, just keep you busy chasing the carrot and you are never satisfied with what you have nor what you could have had. ☹️There’s always just one more step. Just a few more years in this job, or once you graduate, or as soon as you get married, or when the kids are older, or when your faith is stronger, or when you can afford the next thing that promises happiness. Just. One. More. Step. The endless pursuit of more. Chasing the carrot!