18 “Listen then to the [meaning of the] parable of the sower: 19 When anyone hears the word of the kingdom [regarding salvation] and does not understand and grasp it, the evil one comes and snatches away what was sown in his heart. This is the one on whom seed was sown beside the road. 20 The one on whom seed was sown on rocky ground, this is the one who hears the word and at once welcomes it with joy; 21 yet he has no [substantial] root in himself, but is only temporary, and when pressure or persecution comes because of the word, immediately he stumbles and falls away [abandoning the One who is the source of salvation]. 22 And the one on whom seed was sown among thorns, this is the one who hears the word, but the worries and distractions of the world and the deceitfulness [the superficial pleasures and delight] of riches choke the word, and it yields no fruit. 23 And the one on whom seed was sown on the good soil, this is the one who hears the word and understands and grasps it; he indeed bears fruit and yields, some a hundred times [as much as was sown], some sixty [times as much], and some thirty.”Matthew 13:18-23 (AMP).
After reading Jesus’ explanation of the Parable of the Sower, I find myself asking a simple question:
What type of ground are you?
But perhaps an even more important question is:
What type of ground are you hoping to become?
For many years, if I’m being completely honest, I was thorny ground.
That may surprise some people because I had faith. I knew God was real. I had seen Him move in my life time and time again. I had experienced His faithfulness, His provision, and His grace.
Yet despite all of that, something was choking spiritual growth.
Jesus describes the thorny ground as the person who hears the Word, but allows “the worries and cares of the world” and “the deceitfulness of riches” to choke it until it becomes unfruitful.
Most people focus on the riches part of that verse. But what stands out to me is the phrase:
“The worries and cares of the world.”
Worries, Cares and Fears
Fear.
Anxiety.
Worry.
The endless “what ifs.”
The things that keep us awake at night.
The things that convince us disaster is just around the corner.
Someone once defined fear as:
False Evidence Appearing Real.
Whether or not that is a perfect definition, it certainly described much of my life.
God was always trying to address these things in me.
The irony is that I was often too afraid to walk the very path that would bring healing.
I was afraid of the valley.
Afraid of vulnerability.
Afraid of the unknown.
Afraid of letting go of the things I had convinced myself were keeping me safe.
As a result, I would sometimes distance myself from people.
I would isolate myself.
I would avoid situations that made me uncomfortable.
I would build protective walls around myself in order to avoid feeling vulnerable.
But eventually I realised something:
Vulnerability and surrender go hand in hand.
Surrendering it ALL to Jesus
As Christians, we surrender our lives to Jesus. We place our hearts into His hands. There is vulnerability in that.
Real faith often requires us to take a step forward before we can see where the next step will land.
It’s almost as though fear and Jesus stand on opposite sides, both with their hands stretched out.
Fear says:
“Come this way. Stay safe. Stay hidden. Stay where things are familiar.”
Jesus says:
“Come this way. Trust Me. Follow Me. Let Me heal you.”
The difference is that one path leads to captivity and the other leads to freedom.
The challenge is that sometimes we’ve lived with fear for so long that it feels normal.
Comfortable, even.
We know it isn’t healthy, but it is familiar.
The darkness becomes familiar.
The anxiety becomes familiar.
The worry becomes familiar.
And because it is familiar, stepping into the light can feel terrifying.
Yet I’ve learned that freedom is often found on the other side of the very thing we are most afraid to face.
I’ve walked through valleys that I thought would destroy me.
There were moments when life felt unbearable.
Like Elijah under the broom tree, there were times when I simply wanted God to take me home.
But looking back now, I can see that those thoughts were coming from exhaustion, hurt, fear and despair.
Thankfully, God didn’t take me at my word.
He knew what was better for me.
He always does.
And through those valleys He taught me that fear does not have the final say.
Jesus does.
Today, I can boldly say that the thorns no longer define my life.
Am I perfect?
Not remotely.
Do worries still try to creep in?
Of course they do.
But they no longer have permission to choke the Word of God in my life.
The soil has changed.
Not because of my strength, but because of God’s grace.
The beautiful truth about this parable is that Jesus isn’t merely identifying different types of soil. He is revealing the condition of our hearts and inviting us to allow Him to transform them.
The hard ground can be softened.
The rocky ground can be deepened.
The thorny ground can be cleared.
And good soil can produce an abundant harvest. God is still in the business of transforming soil.
A Prayer
Heavenly Father,
Thank You for the truth of Your Word and for the patience You show each one of us as You shape and grow us.
Lord, search our hearts and reveal any thorns that may be choking the work You desire to do within us. Where there is fear, help us to trust You. Where there is anxiety, fill us with Your peace. Where there is worry, teach us to place our concerns into Your faithful hands.
Give us the courage to walk through the valleys we have been afraid to face, knowing that You are with us and that You never leave nor forsake us. Help us not to retreat into isolation, self-reliance, or false securities, but to draw closer to You and to one another.
Teach us what it means to live surrendered lives. Help us to be vulnerable before You, allowing You to remove the rocks, pull up the thorns, and soften the hard places within our hearts.
May Your Word take deep root in us and produce a harvest of faith, hope, peace, love and obedience. Transform us into good soil so that our lives may bear fruit for Your glory and for the blessing of others.
In the mighty name of Jesus, Amen
May God bless you all,
‘But test everything that is said. Hold on to what is good.’
1 Thessalonians 5:21 (NLT)
Note from Brother Don — click to open
I would love for this space to become more interactive as we walk together in faith.
If there are subjects you’d like to explore from a Christian perspective, or if you
have prayer needs for yourself, your family, or your friends, please feel free to reach out.
You can send a private message through the site — these are confidential and not visible
to anyone else. The only exception would be if a safeguarding concern were raised; in that
case, it may need to be passed on to the appropriate agency or person, as you would expect.
Above all, I want to ensure that what is shared here reflects what the Lord desires to say.
Sometimes the “signal” of life can get in the way, and your feedback helps me stay prayerful,
discerning, and aligned with His heart. Whether you simply read along or choose to share,
I’m grateful you’re here.
Beginning a Journey With Jesus — click to open
If you’re exploring the Christian faith or wondering what it means to follow Jesus,
you’re in the right place. Beginning a journey with Him is the most life‑changing
decision a person can make — and it’s open to everyone.
Below is a simple explanation of the gospel message, followed by a prayer you can use
if you feel ready to invite Jesus into your life.
A Brief Summary of the Gospel Message:
God created you for relationship with Him.
Sin — the things we do wrong — separates us from God.
We cannot fix this separation by our own efforts.
Jesus, God’s Son, came to earth, lived without sin, and died on the cross to take our place.
He rose again, defeating sin and death.
Through Jesus, we can be forgiven, restored, and made new.
Salvation is a gift — received by faith, not earned by good works.
When we accept Jesus, the Holy Spirit comes to live within us and begins transforming our lives.
We become children of God, with a new identity and a new future.
A Simple Prayer to Begin Your Journey:
“Lord Jesus, I come to You today because I want to know You.
I admit that I have sinned and fallen short, and I ask for Your forgiveness.
I believe that You died for me and rose again so that I could be made new.
Today, I choose to turn away from my old life and follow You.
Please come into my heart, fill me with Your Holy Spirit, and help me to live for You
from this day forward.
Thank You for loving me, forgiving me, and making me Your child.
Amen.”
What to Do Next:
1. Find a Local Church
Look for a Bible‑believing church in your area. Speak to the pastor or leadership team
and let them know about the commitment you’ve made. They will be able to support you,
pray with you, and help you grow.
2. Consider the Alpha Course
I strongly recommend the Alpha Course, which runs worldwide. It’s a safe, friendly place
to explore questions about life, the Christian faith, and God — whether you’re brand new
or simply curious.
3. Reach Out if You’d Like Support
If you’d like prayer, have questions, or want to talk privately, you can send a confidential
message through the site. Nothing you share will be visible to others. The only exception is
if a safeguarding concern is raised — in that case, it may need to be passed on to the
appropriate agency or person, as you would expect.
