Jesus welcomed the people, taught them about the Kingdom of God and healed those in need. Luke 9:11

Seeds of the Kingdom

What’s It All About?

by Ron Scurfield

The seed falling among the thorns refers to someone who hears the word, but the worries of this life.. choke the word, making it unfruitful.
Matthew 13:22 NIV

How easy it is to get caught up on the incessant treadmill of life, driven at an ever-increasing pace and carried along on a wave of activity. Where are we going? Perhaps we’re not sure. Our destination seems to have been lost in our efforts to get there. Everything is so important. It all has to be done, regularly, in the right order and on time. We’re automatically performing routine tasks which are vital for the continuation of life as we know it. The cycle gets more congested as pressure builds up. There’s always something else to fit in. Stress and anxiety increases. If we don’t do this or forget to do that, or change our routine in any way the world will fall apart. We have a job to hold down and a family to support. We have commitments, responsibilities and a reputation to maintain. - We also have time.. which is being filled to overflowing by the unnecessary pressure of that which seems so important.

Perhaps we’re alone in the crowd? An island in the midst of innumerable islands, all seeking recognition and fulfilment. All crying out for acceptance, even to having our mere existence recognised. Confused? Lost? What’s it all about?

It’s all about Jesus, the One who plays the major part in our life. ‘There is but one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom all things came and through whom we live’ (1 Corinthians 8:6). He is the key to life and destiny; the One to whom, sooner or later, everyone and everything will submit, ‘that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow.. and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord’ (Philippians 2:10,11).

If we’re so busy living a fruitless, ineffectual life; if we’re lost in a sea of confusion, or on the road to nowhere; if we’re isolated, lonely or lost, there’s something missing. We’ve lost the Key. His name is Jesus.

Jesus said, ‘In this world you will have trouble..’ (John 16:33a). We can expect nothing more. But then He went on to say, ‘..take heart! I have overcome the world’ (John 16:33b).

God has plans for our life: ‘.. to prosper and not to harm you.. to give you hope and a future’ (Jeremiah 29:11). Hope gives us confidence for the future, which is our destiny in Him.

In Jesus we have a lasting relationship (Matthew 28:20). In Him we can live life to the full (John 10:10). He is our Comforter (John 14:16). He gives us strength to accomplish all we need to do (Philippians 4:13), with no stress (Philippians 4:6-7). He’s the One on whom we can lay all our burdens (1 Peter 5:7).

Perhaps it’s time to stop and rest. Consider Martha and Mary. Mary sat at the Lord’s feet, and listened. Martha was too busy. Jesus rebuked her, saying, ‘Mary has chosen what is better’ (Luke 10:42).

‘Those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength’ (Isaiah 40: 31).

Prayer: Lord, I come to you now and choose to lay everything at your feet. I rest in Your presence. Grant me Your peace, Lord, and help me rediscover the joy of knowing Your immeasurable love for me, and through this to renew my strength to fulfil all that you ask me to do. Nothing more. In Jesus name. Amen.

Ron Scurfield with his wife Jill, are part of the Associate Ministry Team at Ellel Grange and occasionally Ellel Scotland. Ron enjoys walking and writing and meeting interesting people, but his greatest joy is seeing God transform lives, setting people free to live the abundant life that Jesus intended.

 

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