City Life Starter

Written by Nate Warren

The Word

9 And when his disciples asked him what this parable meant,

10 he said, “To you it has been given to know the secrets of the kingdom of God, but for others they are in parables, so that ‘seeing they may not see, and hearing they may not understand.’

11 Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God.

12 The ones along the path are those who have heard; then the devil comes and takes away the word from their hearts, so that they may not believe and be saved.

13 And the ones on the rock are those who, when they hear the word, receive it with joy. But these have no root; they believe for a while, and in time of testing fall away.

14 And as for what fell among the thorns, they are those who hear, but as they go on their way they are choked by the cares and riches and pleasures of life, and their fruit does not mature.

15 As for that in the good soil, they are those who, hearing the word, hold it fast in an honest and good heart, and bear fruit with patience.

-Luke 8:9-15

Reflection

The Word of God is the manifest expression of God’s desire. It’s your word by which you might sign a document, direct an automobile, write a song, stand up, or sit down. God’s Word is responsible for the whole creation: “And God said, Let there be light. And there was light.” John’s gospel suggests that Jesus Himself is the highest, most pure expression of God’s Word.

Jesus makes it very plain: “The seed is the word of God.”

For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.

Hebrews 4:12

The maturing disciple is one who has heard this Word, understood its value, and sought after more. The more they seek, the more they find. In times of trial and testing, they patiently endure, holding fast to the Word. By now they are transformed because the Word regenerates their whole existence.

Application

This Word is more than an idea. Jesus speaks to you and I, directly to our consciousness, by the Holy Spirit. He is calling us to enter into His rest by carefully listening to His voice, parsing it out from the noise of the World, and surrendering every part of our existence to it.

If you know His voice, take time in prayerful listening. Take note of anything He tells you, but just as importantly, abide in His presence. Let His Word help you relax any grip you may be holding on worldly cares. Allow Him to carry the weight of those worries, for He cares for you.

If you do not know His voice, then arrange to meet someone who does. Ask that person to pray with you about God’s manifest desire in your lives. Ask them to, when they are in the Spirit, place their hands on your shoulders, head, or hands, so you too will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

Prayer

Father, help me to experience Your Word in every interaction I have today. Let me be consciously aware of You with me while I work or play, come or go. I give my day, and my life, into Your hands.

Amen