How work can get in the way of God and His plan for You

Often, I have found myself distracted by the changes in my life. In the transition, I lose focus of what matters most. I stop reading my Bible, I stop writing blog posts, I stop praying consistently. All of the progress in my spiritual journey and relationship with the Father screeches to a halt. And then after a couple weeks into the new place in my life I work on getting back to what matters. But I think this is a mistake, I think that even in the chaos of life changing around us we need to remain focused on what gives us life. We need to focus on God.

Others fell among the thorns, and the thorns came up and choked them out.

Matthew 13:7 NASB

I honestly think this is the biggest obstacle in my path to growing my realtionship with the Father. It is so hard for me to enter into a new phase of life and still try to hold on to the schedule and pattern that I had before. And I know that with the lockdowns and virus that many people are probably feeling the same way. But I know that this obstacle is just that, something put in our path that we need to overcome. It won’t stop us, it can’t stop us from connecting to God.

But the quota of bricks which they were making previously, you shall impose on them; you are not to reduce any of it. Because they are lazy, therefore they cry out, ‘Let us go and sacrifice to our God.’ Let the labor be heavier on the men, and let them work at it so that they will pay no attention to false words.”

Exodus 5:8‭-‬9 NASB

Even Pharaoh, when he wanted to take the Israelites from worshiping God, put them to work. Work, with all it’s benefits and challenges, can actually take you away from what matters most. Even David and the author of Ecclesiaties said it is vain to over work.

One hand full of rest is better than two fists full of labor and striving after wind.

Ecclesiastes 4:6 NASB

It is vain for you to rise up early, To retire late, To eat the bread of painful labors; For He gives to His beloved even in his sleep.

Psalms 127:2 NASB

And it is easy to fall into this trap. When you look at your bills, your plans for the future, you think about the cost. You think about the work. Some get excited and will pour themselves into their labours, they will put all their energy into their goals. But think about where this desire comes from, is it from a place a humilty toward God, or in man’s striving for vainity?

And the one on whom seed was sown among the thorns, this is the man who hears the word, and the worry of the world and the deceitfulness of wealth choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful.

Matthew 13:22 NASB

The world can choke out our growth. If we aren’t careful, we can be lost in those thorns and never come out. Never see progress, never see a growth in our faith and in our nature. And then when the time comes for us to make the choice to choose God and not the world, we break. If I fear anything, it is that in the moment when I need to be strong, I am weak. That I would choose comfort over the truth. And cowards will not inherit the kingdom of God.

I hope you guys enjoyed this blog post. If you took anything from it please share a link on your social media, it would help a lot. I have dreams of building this blog into a community but I can’t do it alone. If you haven’t already make sure to subscribe. Thanks!