Sown

A farmer went out to sow his seed. 4 As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up. 5 Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow. 6 But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no root. 7 Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants. 8 Still other seed fell on good soil, where it produced a crop—a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown. 9 Whoever has ears, let them hear.”
Matthew 13:3b-9

18 “Listen then to what the parable of the sower means: 19 When anyone hears the message about the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what was sown in their heart. This is the seed sown along the path. 20 The seed falling on rocky ground refers to someone who hears the word and at once receives it with joy. 21 But since they have no root, they last only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, they quickly fall away. 22 The seed falling among the thorns refers to someone who hears the word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke the word, making it unfruitful. 23 But the seed falling on good soil refers to someone who hears the word and understands it. This is the one who produces a crop, yielding a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown.”
Matthew 13:18-23

The Parable of the Sower so accurately describes the summary of the human spiritual plight.
Many come to my mind, and maybe to yours, who received GOD'S Word, got born again, but because of distractions, not being in the Word, lack of revelation of knowledge of God, trials and problems of life, cares of this world, etc., they were choked off, and they stopped growing and withered away.
When the seed - the Word- is planted, we have to tend it, water and feed it ...this is why Jesus said, "blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness". The crop, (the outcome) is the fullness, and fruitfulness of life that results from relationship with the Lord - the answer to that existential question of why we are here that only comes from locking gazes with the Lover of our souls.
Jesus said that we will have trouble in this roller coaster of a life...but He has also told us to TAKE HEART BECAUSE HE HAS OVERCOME THE WORLD. Let's keep our eyes fixed on Him, answering His call for our lives as we weather the storm, and not look to the left or right. He will keep us on the narrow path, as storms swirl around us...the destination is that heavenly mansion which he has prepared for us.