Pull the Weeds!

Mathew 13:1-8, 24-32

I love gardening. I love the whole process, from the planting, to the tending, to the harvest. However, as I was putting in my vegetables this past week, if you could have seen me with God's eyes, you would have seen a storm cloud brewing overhead instead of happiness. I was stewing! As I feverishly turned the soil, pulled weeds and just struggled with the ground, I was listing the things in my head that I "deserved", the opportunities that were passing me by... for the love, I just wanted to go to the grocery store, sans kids, for triple coupon week! All I wanted to do is save my family money!

You get my point. We have all done it.

As I was fighting with the ground, the Holy Spirit whispered one sentence to me that literally stopped me in my tracks... "watch out for the weeds." I knew immediately what He meant.

The very nature of weeds is to destroy. To suck the life and nutrients out of the ground that needs to be sustaining plants that we want to keep. They are prevalent and they are a constant battle that you will never gain complete and lasting victory. Sound familiar? Sounds like sin.

Just as I plant tomato plants to bring forth tomatoes, so God plants us for a purpose. It is our purpose to bring forth a harvest for His kingdom and His renown. Satan desires to do nothing more than kill that harvest, and he often does it through little pieces, of sometimes overlooked, sin. Sin that if ignored will eventually suck the nutrients and life out of what we have.

For me that day, the weed of sin was my attitude of selfishness. I fell in to the trap of feeling like "I deserve ____". It is so easy to fall into. Was it too much to ask to be able to get away before 9pm to go to the grocery store by myself? Probably not. However, what was wrong was when I started to get angry at my husband, feeling like he was being selfish for working long hours, nursing feelings of neglect. Instead of feeling this way, I needed to be proud and appreciative that he was going to work to provide for our family (and I know he would so much rather be with us), I needed to be understanding and supportive during that crazy busy and stressful week. I needed to be thankful he came home to us as soon as the workday was over instead of wanting to run off and "do his own thing." I was wrong, and praise the Lord that He revealed it to me before I continued to let these feelings grow and kill the wonderful marriage the Lord has blessed me with. What are your little weeds - Things that seem insignificant, and you may be able to blame on hormones, but if you were completely honest you know it is a sin?

Sometimes we allow weeds to grow, because they seem appealing and even desirable at the time. I have lots of dirt splotches in my yard, and my original thought was green is better than dirt. However, because I left those weeds unattended over the last three years, weeds have spread all over my yard and is literally killing the grass I do have. This simple truth is a huge weapon in Satan's arsenal. In those areas of our life where we feel a void, it is so tempting to allow little things that are not healthy or best to fill that area of need. For example, maybe there is an unhealthy or unholy relationship in your life that is filling a need that you have. I don't know, but you and God do. Only the Lord can fill the voids that are in your life. It is better left alone than filled with sin that will eventually spread and kill whatever life you have.

Lastly, weeds draw nutrients and water away from the plants that they are near. God rains down upon our life blessings, talents and abilities to fulfill our purpose that He has created for us. He tells us in His Word that He will give us everything we need for life and godliness (2 Peter 1:3). Are there "weeds" in your life that are robbing your time, blessings, etc. and going against God's calling on your life. It is important to note that sometimes weeds are beautiful flowers, but they are still weeds. Sometimes things look good and even Godly, but are distracting us from where God has placed us (being a mom, being a help-mate for your husband, etc). We must closely evaluate anything that threatens the life of people/places we KNOW we are supposed to be serving to make sure that it is of the Lord.

Finally, we must be vigilant. I must pick weeds all summer long. Once picked, more will eventually come. It is a never ending battle, but I like the challenge! We must constantly evaluate our life, even in areas where we have repented, gained the victory and begun pursuing holiness. Satan is out to destroy our lives (1 Peter 5:8) and He won't stop until he succeeds or we either join the Lord in Heaven. Pray Psalm 139:23-24, "Search me, O God, and know my heart. Try me and know my anxious thoughts; and see if there be any hurtful way in me, and lead me in the everlasting way." After praying, stop, be still, and listen. The Holy Spirit will let you know and you just pull the weeds!