Today I was listening to the Gospel of Mark where Jesus explains to his disciples about the four types of people that they will encounter. The master teacher is using a parable to draw his disciples into a deeper pursuit. He had been telling about a farmer that sowed seed and some fell on four different areas. After telling the parable to the crowd he meets with his disciples and he begins to explain its meaning to them. The meaning is prefaced with a word of wisdom in the introduction.
13Then Jesus said to them, "Don't you understand this parable? How then will you understand any parable?
He's saying 'pay attention, this is important.' As a teacher I can relate to these introductions. It is like a teacher saying, 'write this down. This is important, its foundational to this course.'
With that introduction he continues;
14The farmer sows the word. 15Some people are like seed along the path, where the word is sown. As soon as they hear it, Satan comes and takes away the word that was sown in them. 16Others, like seed sown on rocky places, hear the word and at once receive it with joy.17But since they have no root, they last only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, they quickly fall away. 18Still others, like seed sown among thorns, hear the word; 19but the worries of this life, the deceitfulness of wealth and the desires for other things come in and choke the word, making it unfruitful. 20Others, like seed sown on good soil, hear the word, accept it, and produce a crop—thirty, sixty or even a hundred times what was sown."
Jesus gives an insight into the four types of people (or attitudes) that they will encounter, laying a foundational teaching to understand their own attitudes and the attitudes of others. I like to think of them in this way;
Attitude number one is the disinterested. This attitude won't sit long enough to process anything. It knows something happened but dismisses it just as quickly. Its similar to the person who cuts you off because they were talking on their cell phone and never realizes what happened. Everything happens to this person but they never happen to anything.
Attitude number two is 'the one hit wonder.' This attitude lacks wisdom and perspective. They are just as likely to have a great week as they are to have a horrible week. If you're friends with this person you think they are bi-polar. They move from one thing to the next failing to recognize the process that is required for a truly significant contribution to be made.
Attitude number three is selfish. This attitude falls prey to the subtle lies that they deserve better. This attitude loves to take hold of its captives and is willing to take however long is necessary to capture. It comes through thoughts such as "you deserve a break, no one else works as hard, others do it and are okay, etc" Jealousy is a close relative of this attitude working hand in hand.
The fourth attitude is the producer. This attitude is not afraid of the truth. It embraces truth leading to life. It loves correction and discipline because it sees past the present into a future reality and perseveres to its fulfillment. It always believes, always hopes, always loves.
Father, I ask you tonight to give me an attitude adjustment.
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