Footpath
Have you ever read a passage of Scripture that you’ve seen a million times before—yet this time, something different stands out? Friends, this happened to me last week, and I can’t wait to share what I noticed with you!
I was reading the Gospels and came across the parable of the farmer who planted seed. Some seed fell on a footpath, where it was stepped on, and the birds ate it. Others fell among rocks—it began to grow but died from a lack of moisture. Some fell among thorns that choked out the tender plants. Lastly, some of the seed fell on fertile soil and produced a crop a hundred times more than what was planted. Jesus explained the meaning of the parable to his disciples:
“The seeds that fell on the footpath represent those who hear the message, only to have the devil come and take it away from their hearts and prevent them from believing and being saved. The seeds on the rocky soil represent those who hear the message and receive it with joy. But since they don’t have deep roots, they believe for a while, then they fall away when they face temptation. The seeds that fell among the thorns represent those who hear the message, but all too quickly the message is crowded out by the cares and riches and pleasures of this life. And so they never grow into maturity. And the seeds that fell on the good soil represent honest, good-hearted people who hear God’s word, cling to it, and patiently produce a huge harvest.”
Luke 8:12-15 NLT
While there are many circumstances in which we might hear the Word but fail to “produce a harvest,” the first scenario really jumped off the page for me this time:
“A farmer went out to plant his seed. As he scattered it across his field, some seed fell on a footpath, where it was stepped on, and the birds ate it.”
Luke 8:5 NLT
The footpath. Have you ever noticed one? When we lived in the country, I found it fascinating that paths from the previous owners’ hunting trips remained visible years later. The dirt had become rock solid from frequent travel. It no longer absorbed anything and had become nutrient-deficient—a condition unsuitable for growth. Do you ever feel worn-out, trampled on, and nutrient-deficient like a footpath?
While we can probably relate to all the examples in this parable at different points in our lives, I want to focus on the footpath. Many Christians find themselves in this condition when we confuse humility with martyrdom, neglecting our own needs for the sake of taking care of others.
We often celebrate someone’s sacrifice with heartfelt appreciation—and rightly so. But sometimes, this praise leads us to believe that being a good Christian—or a good person—means always putting others' needs before our own. This happens frequently at church, but it’s also common in community volunteering.
Giving up your free time one weekend to volunteer for a missions fundraiser? That’s awesome, healthy, and meaningful. But giving up your weekly gym routine to volunteer three times a week for something you’re not passionate about because you felt guilty no one else stepped up? That’s not healthy. Yet acts like these are often celebrated as kind and selfless.
While these acts are certainly kind and selfless, we have a responsibility to steward our own “soil.” Saying no to some things so we can take care of our physical needs should never be considered selfish.
In my free time, I’ve been reading a book that explores how our mental, emotional, and spiritual health are tied to our physical well-being. The author emphasizes the importance of prioritizing life’s “basics”: sleep, nutrition, exercise, connection, and a balance between routine and adventure. This resonates deeply with me because my physical health has been a struggle over the past year. Frequent migraines were interfering with my daily life, and I had to take the time to slow down, prioritize my health, and stop ignoring what my body was telling me. I really had to pause and care for myself for a few weeks. It took a few doctor’s appointments and getting very intentional about everything—from what I’m eating to making sure I go to bed on time. Just a few weeks in, after identifying and eliminating several food triggers I hadn’t been aware of, I already feel so much better. I feel like I have my life back. I’m shocked by how much these issues were impacting my energy and joy for everything I was doing. Now, I can give my best again. It’s from a place of abundance and strength that we can truly give our best.
The image of the nutrient-deficient footpath reminds me of what I’m learning: I cannot neglect my needs—If I do, I give the enemy an opportunity to rob me of fulfilling God’s purpose for my life!
Jesus understood this perfectly. He sets the ultimate example of serving with humility while also prioritizing rest. Throughout the Gospels, we see Him pausing to address interruptions in His day, but we also see Him retreating to pray and recharge.
What is the condition of your life, friend? Have you allowed the needs of others to trample your own? What’s one practical thing you can do to take care of yourself this week?
