“Pulling Weeds” by Justin March

“Pulling weeds and
planting seeds.  That’s the story of life.  We are individual lots on
which either weeds of selfishness or fruit of the Holy Spirit grows and
flourishes.” Dennis Rainey

 

“Let your roots grow
down into Him and let your lives be built on Him.  Then your faith will
grow strong in the truth you were taught, and you will overflow with
thankfulness.” Colossians 2:7

I walked down the
sidewalk to chat with a neighbor yesterday and he was feverishly pulling
weeds.  He and his wife have been traveling for a month, and upon his
return, he could not believe how his lawn, driveway, and flower beds had been
taken over by these pesky growths.  He was flabbergasted by the amount of
work ahead of him, and I could tell it was going to be a struggle to make his
property right again.

Are we allowing the
weeds of life a chance to choke the beauty within us?  Are there times we
ignore God’s nurturing and allow our foundation to be susceptible to unwanted
growth?  And should we really be surprised when our lives are not lush
after forgetting to give thanks and glory to the one who provides everything we
need?

After my neighbor
asked me how I keep the weeds out of my yard, I simply answered, “I pull
them everyday.”  It did not mean much to me at the time, but the
more I think about my answer, the more it rings true.  Ignoring the
weeds when they first pop up gives them the chance to develop roots and grow
strong.  It allows them to spread and steal the nutrients my flowers
and lawn require to flourish.  And when I ignore them for too long, my
property lies hostage to the overgrowth and ugliness these weeds promise to
provide.

“I pull them
everyday.”  In life, we need to pay attention to what God is showing
us and rid our lives of the weeds that creep within.  The weeds that bring
selfishness, hatred, and separation are just waiting for us to ignore God’s
messages.  But when we take those moments to be thankful, when we lend a
helping hand to someone in need, when we forgive those that have wronged us,
and when we extend grace to everyone we encounter, we begin to plant seeds that
will build the rich foundation needed and keep those weeds away.

It is easy to allow
the days to pass without taking the time to nourish what is needed.  But
as I walk this path that Jesus has laid before me, He continues to show me how
simple it can be to take a few moments each day to glorify His Father and bring
others to Him.  He has taught me that showing gratitude is as simple as saying
“Thank you God” in those moments of happiness.  He has taught me
that smiling at a stranger can sometimes be all that was needed to uplift their
day.  He has taught me that forgiving another can destroy a barrier that
is trying to keep us apart.  And He has taught me that loving
unconditionally allows me to see a person for who they truly are, instead of
judging them with my own preconceived ideas.

Are we making sure we
pull those weeds everyday?  Are we taking a few moments to read our
Bibles, scan a devotion, give thanks, have a conversation with a friend, and
relish in God’s beauty so our lawns stay rich and beautiful?  And when a
weed does begin to take root, are we making sure we pull it immediately so our
soil is open to the seeds God wants to plant in our lives?  It does not
take a lot of maintenance to live a healthy life, and it does not take but a
few moments to help another maintain theirs.  But it does take a
willingness to be open to God’s word, to be humble when we do His work, and to
take a few moments each day to glorify Him so others can see His light.

I pray you take the
time to pull the weeds this week.  I pray that you nourish God’s gardens
and make them attractive to others.  And I pray that you find the time to
encapsulate God’s beauty and allow it to flow through you in every moment of
your day.  Because when you rid yourself of the weeds this world wants to
plant, and you replace them with the seeds only God can provide, your life will
be nourished, your soil will be rich, and your lawn will endure any hardship as
you allow the love of Christ to fertilize your foundation!