Spiritual Weeds

I have to admit, I’m going to miss the bright yellow wild mustard, and mini-daisies that have been growing in the field outside my kitchen window; but they are, after all, weeds. Today, the mighty John Deere tractor roared in and plowed them under. The farmer will soon spray herbicide on the brown earth, insuring that they won’t return.  Well, some of them won’t, but a few hardy ones will muster the strength to pop up, annoying said farmer!

It’s funny how we can get mighty used to the weeds in our own personal fields. as well.  Meaningless things that take up our time, and draw us away from purposeful, God-centered work. Just like those “pretty” weeds suck up the nutrients in the soil, keeping it from being productive, so too does idle and useless behavior.  Don’t get me wrong, I’m not talking about periods of rest, God knows we need that time,  but prolonged lethargy that can even lead to sin…the idle mind is the Devil’s playground after all!  Think back to King David, the apple of God’s eye, but he was lounging around the castle, when he should have been out on the battlefield, he saw Bathsheba and the rest is history.  Paul warned the Thessalonians when he wrote, “We hear that some among you are idle and disruptive. They are not busy; they are busybodies.” 2 Thess. 3:11.

From the get-go, in Genesis, God told Noah, and Adam before him, “ Now as for you, be productive and multiply; spread out over the land and multiply throughout it." Genesis 9: 7. He meant this not only in the reproductive sense, but also in the working of the ground, and tending His kingdom. So, how does your field look?  I know mine could use lots of cleaning up, and if I don’t do it, God will. “"Every plant that my heavenly Father has not planted will be pulled up by the roots.” Matthew 15:13.  Let’s face it, we all have a great attachment to our “weeds”, but they don’t make for a bounteous harvest.  So, pull on your leather gloves, and get busy, your garden will thank you for it!  “So let's not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don't give up.” Galatians 6:9.