Thorn

Luke 8:7 Others fell amid the THORNS and the THORNS grew with it, and choked it.

Dictionary definition of THORN—A sharp rigid process or a plant, on that is a short indurated, sharp-pointed, and leafless modified stem.

THORN- Ever pick a rose and get a THORN stuck in a finger? Hurts, right? Until we get it out it is very painful and annoying. Think of times while picking raspberries or blackberries, and the many scratches caused by the THORNS. THORNS are there to protect the roses and berries from harm. Have any of us made the statement that a particular person was “A THORN in our side?” What did we mean by this remark? Perhaps this person caused troubles with bad behavior, cheating, stealing etc. We were always called upon to get them out of trouble, thus the “THORN in our side.” Illness, bad luck, financial calamity can all be called a THORN in our side. We pray to have it or they removed, desperate for relief from this THORN. In 2 Corinthians 12:7-10 Paul pleaded three times with God to take away the THORN from him. Each time God answered NO. I can hear Paul now asking NO. Why not? God didn’t want Paul to become too conceited because of the great revelations given to him. God said “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness. Paul goes on to confess that he will boast all the more gladly of his weakness, so that the power of Christ may rest upon him.” Paul seems to be vague as to what his THORN was but that works well for us because it can be anything in our lives that causes us continual pain and suffering. Perhaps a chronic illness, or anxiety, trials of any or many kinds. The THORN can also represent sorrow or hardship. The THORN is the most ancient symbol in the world representing pain and pleasure. It is also an emblem of Christ’s passion, as the Crown of THORNS. God uses the THORNS of our lives to protect us by strengthening our faith and helping us grow, just as He protects the rose and berries. They used the Crown of THORNS on Jesus as a way to mock and shame Him during the crucifixion process because He openly told Pilate that He was a king but His kingdom was not of this world. Paul contends that while painful, the THORN was a gift in disguise, one that kept him humble. I have the suspicion that many, if not all of us have never thought of a THORN as a gift in disguise. We bemoan our trials, wishing and hoping them to leave us. No one willingly wants to be sick, have money or relational issues just to become humble. This thought comes to me vividly, we may say we are humble, but until we walk in the shoes of struggles like a cancer diagnosis or a lifetime battle with addiction our declaration of being humble is shallow and wispy. It’s only when enduring such trials do we really become humble unless we become angry and restful of our God. It is in this time that what we truly are, comes to the surface for us and others to see. Which is it for each of us, grateful or restful? Matthew 7:16 “Ye shall know them by their fruit. Do men gather grapes of THORNS, or figs of thistles?” So, what are our fruits? Are we humble in our suffering, trusting God to see us through the THORNS, or angry and resentful of a God we thought was good, good only if things go our way? Not good if we don’t get released from our THORN? Remember this, God is good even when we are accosted by that proverbial THORN. It is there for our protection that we don’t see or understand, but God sees the big picture. The THORN is a gift in disguise. Thank you Father for your protection and grace. Open our eyes to see what You see. Help us in our journey of faith to be truly humble leaving all conceit behind with a THORN to remind us who You and we truly are. Praise Your Holy Name.