Weeds of Life

 

I spent part of the day yesterday pulling unruly and unwanted weeds from the grass (or lack there of). There was a section of the lawn that was just screaming for help. The few week old seeds were being choked by the overpowering weeds. As I loosened and pulled the tangled plants from the moist soil, I began to see weeding in a different way.

At first I didn't have hope that the grass seeds were growing, but after doing a little investigating, I found little sprouts hidden under matted dead roots and entangled weeds. Our lives have the opportunity to grow and prosper. We can produce fruit and love, but sometimes there are other things that overpower those forming habits. I think that if we were to spend time doing a little bit of maintenance - while still nursing those baby habits - our lives could be used for a much bigger purpose.

Sometimes when we are cleaning out the old matted roots, and tugging the unruly weeds, we pull up some of the new growth. Just like in life, when we start sorting through the root of old habits, sometimes we fall back into the same old patterns, resulting in us having to start from scratch all over again. But thank God for second chances, right?!

After all the weeds were tossed in the trash, grass seed was tossed on the fertile soil. They all have a chance to cover the bare dirt with fresh, vibrant, and lush grass. It just needs the opportunity and resources to thrive.

And I'm sure, once that patch is beautiful, there will be another area that needs maintenance. It's a never ending process, but if it isn't taken care of and nurtured properly, all of the grass will get choked up by the deceptive weeds. The ugly unwanted plants look green and lush, spreading so nicely about the soil - but the damage it is doing under the surface is deadly. Sin likes to be sneaky, trying hard to blend in. But it's ruining what is left of the healthy, maturing grass - preventing anything from surviving. I think I'm at a place where I need to analyze (or should I say, allow God to show me) what in my life are weeds, and what areas I need to start cultivating so that I can encourage those little seedlings to grow and mature, rather than be swallowed up by the deceiving weeds.

Once those little seeds have pushed up through the soil and reached out for life, they have to be cared for and nurtured. We as humans, Christians, sinners, need support as we continue to grow. It doesn't happen overnight, and we certainly can't do it on our own. Seeds don't just sprout - they need water, food, and light. And sometimes, it takes a few tries to get a successful crop with the right balance of each resource, but you can't get any success without planting it in the first place.

Luke 8

". . . This is the meaning of the parable: The seed is the word of God . . ."

Galatians 6:7-8

^7-8Don't be misled: No one makes a fool of God. What a person plants, he will harvest. The person who plants selfishness, ignoring the needs of others—ignoring God!—harvests a crop of weeds. All he'll have to show for his life is weeds! But the one who plants in response to God, letting God's Spirit do the growth work in him, harvests a crop of real life, eternal life. 

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