“…and you shall not make a covenant with the people of this land, but you shall break down their altars.’ Yet you have disobeyed me. Why have you done this? I have also said, ‘I will not drive them out before you; they will become traps for you, and their gods will become snares to you.’” Judges 2:2-3
“Pull harder,” I said to myself. It was kind of funny being my own running-back AND cheerleader! And all over a stupid weed! As I grasped and pulled, the top of the weed broke off in my hand leaving the root intact! “Stupid weed,” I said to myself. Then God moved in to set up the classroom to force me to ponder the question, “If weeds can be considered stupid… how ‘bout YOU?”
I had been cutting the lawn, and in the back were some rather large, leafy weeds. Most of the year, I cut the grass weekly. But in winter, I only cut it about every 2-3 weeks. Truth be told, the good grass seems to go into hibernation and the only thing flourishing ARE the weeds! The one in my hand was big and healthy and, with the top broken off, ‘root’ was now laughing underground!
Having never had a healthy, weed free lawn, I wasn’t sure WHY this one weed was bugging me so much! Great lawns take lots of time, labor and money… none of which I desire to throw into my yard. I have more important things to look after, my life and walk with God being MOST important. Yet right then and there, God was letting me know just how meticulous and demanding HE really is!
Studying the Book of Revelation starts with Christ’s ‘Love Letters’ to His Bride… ‘The Church.’ Anyone thinking Jesus’ isn’t serious about His marriage need only read Chapters 2 & 3 to see His intensity. The tough part is, since He’s already perfect, all the weakness in our relationship falls on ME! His instruction and detail of how and where I need to improve come close to modern day spousal abuse!
As I surveyed my yard, holding the broken weed, it became clear to me that I have LOTS of weeds! And while the abrupt lesson He laid upon me did nothing to make me want to improve my lawn, it DID cause me to look at my relationship with Him with fresh eyes. Things of the world have moved into mine and are thriving toward a takeover coup to make me grow more weedy. Jesus says “NO!”
It is times like the weed experience that make me love Him even more! It is hard to remember 24/7, that the world, the flesh and the devil never sleep. My destruction will never happen because of my relationship with The Savior. But the QUALITY of my life, and my work-ability in His field, are always a target for the enemy. I’m s’pose to watch for and remove weeds that the world passes off as pretty!
So how are YOU at weed recognition? Eradication? Is Jesus pointing at something in your life that has to go? Are you making moves to ‘get it gone’ or are arguing for it to remain? DO you remember that His love and instruction has NEVER failed you in the past?
