Reach Up From Under the Weight
A Weightless Moment
“The seed sown among thorns is the person who hears the word, but worldly cares and the seductiveness of wealth choke the word, so it produces nothing.” —Matthew 13:22
Have you ever felt choked by worldly cares? Are you so caught up in your stuff, your appearances, your health, or your politics that it feels like you're gasping for air, not only drifting away from God's Word but suffocating under the weight of worry, which is inconsistent with His promises?
In the parable of the sower, Jesus describes the seed sown among thorns as those of us who hear the word of God but are so weighed down and overwhelmed by worldly cares and the allure of wealth that His word is snuffed out. These distractions choke the Word, making it, and us, unfruitful. While a lot of worldly concerns are legitimate and necessary, when they become overwhelming, they distract you from the presence of God, causing you to act like He’s not even in the room.
When word of God produces nothing in you or through you, it’s time to crawl out from under the weight of your worldly concerns. You have an amazing gift that is yours to be enjoyed, shared, and reveled in. Why waste your precious time worrying about the things of this world, when you could be enjoying the God who created it all? The Westminster Catechism reminds us that we were created to enjoy God and to glorify Him forever.
Are you truly enjoying your God?
Because when you are, everything else falls into place. Jesus explains in Matthew 6:33, “Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” When you shift your focus from the temporary to the eternal, from the material to the spiritual, and you trust Him to take care of your needs, instead of being consumed by the sheer vastness of them, anxiety becomes an unnecessary reaction to life.
But how do you make the shift? It starts in your mind with a conscious desire to change the subject back to God. But you can do that, do it. A day established on the desire to know Him, to see Him working around you, to sense Him, and to hear Him is a day where your senses are heightened and your mind is ready to receive the fresh breath of God. This “morning watch” as it is often called, leaves you feeling weightless and prepares your mind for the light of wonder rather than darkness of worry.
It is truly when we fail to wonder that we fail to recognize God in the world around us. The wonder of a falling leaf, the changing colors, the smell of a fresh breeze after a rainfall, these all help to remove the refuse of our worldly cares and give us a fresh perspective.
Just like new plants need the power of the sun on their leaves, you cannot hide yourself under the weight of your concerns and still receive the power of the Lord. Instead, dust yourself off, crawl out from under your stuff and your worries, and let the light of God shine upon you. Look for Him in the world around you, in His Word, in community, in rest, in laughter, and in love. Look for Him to always be near you, always be with you, always be helping you.
Each time those worldly cares threaten to weigh you down, remind yourself of who God is and what He wants to do for the soul who seeks Him. He is your refuge, your strength, and your constant help in times of trouble. Breathe deeply, rest in His promises, and allow Him to shoulder the burdens that overwhelm you. When anxiety tries to steal your breath and leaves you gasping, stop and turn your focus back to Him. Say, "Yes, I trust You, Lord," and let that be enough. Lean on His power, not your own, and find peace in the assurance that He will take care of everything else.
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When you trust God to be enough for all that worries you, you create space for Him to work in ways you may not even see. You step out of the smog of anxiety and into the clear, fresh air of faith. The God who created the universe is the same God who cares about the smallest details of your life. He knows your needs and your concerns, and He is always ready to give you what you truly need—peace, purpose, and the joy of knowing Him. So breathe deeply in His presence and let His love sustain you. You were never meant to live life suffocated by fear, but to live freely, weightlessly, breathing in the fullness of His grace.
Thoughts to Ponder
What things distract you from producing the fruit of joy, peace, patience, gentleness, and self-control?
What do you know about God that is big enough to change the subject back to Him when worry threatens to weigh you down again? (Make a list)
What three things this week do you need to trust God with? Let go of their weight and put it onto Him today.
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