“As for what was sown among the thorns, this is he who hears the Word, but the cares of the world and pleasure and delight and and deceitfulness of riches choke and suffocate the Word, and it yields not fruit” (Matthew 13:22).
We were getting ready to leave for Costa Rica for two weeks on a JESUS film missions trip. I wished the weather at home had been cold and rainy...normal for March. But it was so nice and warm - the sky was blue, the birds were singing and the daffodils were in full bloom. Beautiful! I was going to miss two weeks of the most beautiful time of year.
And I told the Lord,
“I really don’t want to go right now, Lord.”
He answered and said,
“I left my beautiful home for 33 years. Can’t you go willingly for two weeks?”
Needless to say, I was terribly ashamed of my “pleasure of the eyes” attitude. I repented.
When we arrived in Costa Rica, the weather was warm, the sky blue and I realized that I had forgotten about the vibrant colors of the bougainvillea. These bright purple, pink and rose flowers were everywhere. Every time I saw them, my heart was filled with joy.
But even more satisfying was showing the movie JESUS to the people in poor areas of the city. Hundreds of men, women and children came to watch and hear the true story of Jesus Christ. They would stand there for hours and listen - just like they did when Jesus was on earth. Some received Him with tears of joy - just like they did when He was on earth. Some walked away thoughtfully.
I recognized once again that when we disobey God because of the “pleasures of this world,” we miss God’s blessings.
God, help me to believe that Your plan for me is always good. Amen.
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