The Curse of Shallowness

“Some fell upon stony places, where they had not much earth: and forthwith they sprung up, because they had no deepness of earth." (Matthew 13:5) 

        Beware of shallowness, in yourself and others. There is so much today that is sham and superficial, it is refreshing to find people who are willing to think, face themselves, and gain insight. The media is all about feeling rather than thinking; and even philosophers—the so-called thinkers—mistake muddy for deep, a great deal of the time.

        God says of the people represented by the stony, shallow earth that they are quick to spring to the occasion, but lack the stability of root to continue in the heat of the day. In verses 20 and 21 of the chapter, we find out that “tribulation or persecution” is what finally does them in. Unless one is rooted in the Word of God and eternal things, catastrophe in the world, and especially in our own lives, will have no sense or meaning. We must understand, and teach our children that things happen for a reason; choices have consequences; self-centeredness leads to self-pity; and the most important issue of life is one’s relationship to (and with) God and His Son.

        My daughter once told me about a young woman who often testified that God had always been so good to give her all the things she asked of Him. I made the observation that it was sad God could not trust her with a “No.” I truly believe there are those who reach a spiritual plateau and remain there for the rest of their lives. Not because of sin, but because of shallowness. They lack sincerity, because they lack depth of soul.

 “If we were stronger, we might be less tenderly treated. If we were braver, we might be sent, with far less help, to defend far more desolate posts in the great battle.” ~ C.S. Lewis