But the worries of the world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the desires for other things enter in and choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful. Mark 4:19 (NAS)

The worries of the world, the pursuit of riches, and desires for other things can and will choke out spiritual growth, but more importantly, can stop someone in their tracks who is being drawn to God.

I read a very sad story, to me at least, of a popular news correspondent who started her early college life as a professed “Christian,” but eschewed Christianity to be free to pursue “truth” through journalism. The shallow soil of her heart must not have allowed the Holy Spirit to take root, or entanglements of logic and reason choked out all hope of germination. To hear her tell the story, while she was “in the faith,” she had resolved to live a good life, but under whose power? Obviously her own.

You’ll never ever get certitude in understanding God, no matter how much you rephrase the question.

Then, with just a little outside influence and the always-present “questions of life,” she sought to seek a more nebulous “God,” opening up a seemingly more exciting, exhilarating and compelling life on the edge. You see, you’ll never ever get certitude in understanding God, no matter how much you rephrase the question. As one has said, it’s like the flea attempting to understand the dog.

The thing is, this self-admitted “tortured” soul is still very conscious of what the Lord was offering her, but almost joyfully refuses his truth because she can’t trust the source.

As Paul puts it is Romans 1:21-22, “For even though they knew God, they did not honor Him as God or give thanks, but they became futile in their speculations, and their foolish heart was darkened. Professing to be wise, they became fools,”

So close yet so far!