I went into my garden last night to see if my plants were doing well and see if all the seeds that had been buried in the ground had decided to show themselves to the world yet. To my delight I saw all kinds of beans, peas, okra, cucumbers, pumpkins and squash having broken through the soil. The tomatoes and peppers seemed to be growing well, but I also noticed another phenomenon. I noticed there were things growing in the garden that I had not even planted, and didn't want growing in the garden. Those species of plants called weeds. It's amazing, they will grow no matter what.
As I looked around at the plants growing I started thinking about how much time and care it takes to get the plants that I want to grow to take off and become healthy. I have to make sure they get enough water, I have to make sure I don't plant them until after the last frost, they need to be in a place that gets enough sun. There are so many variables that must be fulfilled in order for the plants to get a good start and have every opportunity to grow and mature. But, what I notice about the weeds is they just grow. I don't have to do anything special for them, they just seem to go crazy.
As I noticed this reality I began to think about how similar this scenario is to our spiritual reality. It takes a lot of focus and intention to grow in my relationship with Jesus Christ. I have to make sure that I spend time in his word, in prayer and reflection in order for his goodness to come alive in me. But, what I notice is that the weeds of my life, those things that I really don't want to be there, have a way of showing up. And if I'm not quick to address them and take care of them they begin to grow and get bigger and bigger. And soon what started out as just a little something that wasn't that big of a deal can overwhelm my life.
This reality has been real in my life as well as many that I have watched around me. The small and insignificant weeds, if allowed to grow along side my life in Christ will eventually take over. I will be captured by these sins and the life sucking habits, attitudes and character of a life overgrown with "weeds."
It amazes me the life lessons all around me, if I will just take the time to watch and listen to the voice of God. To think a garden full of plants and weeds could cause me to take account of my life...
Thanks Bob for this post. It made me stop and think about my life and how I am living (or not living) every moment with intention, focus and diligence in developing my relationship with Christ. The more I thought about where I am currently at in my walk with Christ, I felt frustration and the need for more growth!
ReplyDeleteOh, they journey to crave spending time in God’s Word, prayer, reflection and the pulling up of weeds in my life...to have a life yielded completely to the Lord. I know it is possible, because I see the fruit of this type of relationship with Christ in others who have lived longer than I.
Karen