I have recently discovered that yard work is somewhat therapeutic for me. That realization alone is kind of a big deal, since during my childhood yard work was one of my most dreaded chores, right up there with cleaning bathrooms.
But now that we are grown-uppish with our “own” home, at least until the army says otherwise, I enjoy watering the grass, dreaming about planting more flowers (when the budget allows) and yes, even weeding the flower garden.
Here’s the thing about living in the Pacific Northwest: It doesn’t get crazy cold here very often. It is a very temperate climate, so I have realized in our first year living here that we can have green grass nearly year-round (as long as we water it during the “dry” summer months.)
Another piece of this puzzle I discovered early this spring. Apparently weeds, specifically the ones located in our front yard flower bed, thrive in temperate weather.
Part of our “regulations” for living on post include maintaining the flower garden areas, at least to the point of keeping the weeds down. So one day, I decided to tackle this project with our toddler in tow.
I had no idea what I had gotten myself into until it was all over.
After several hours of work, I had pulled a 60 gallon trash can’s worth of weeds.
So I could only think two things: 1) Next year Brandon is going to be voluntold to do the post-winter weeding and 2) Weeds grow easily, rapidly and sneakily… not only in my flower bed, but also in our lives.
Which brings us to our next discussion as we take this Walk through the Parables: The Parable of the weeds, found in Matthew 13.
“Jesus told them another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like a man who sowed good seed in his field. But while everyone was sleeping, his enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat, and went away. When the wheat sprouted and formed heads, then the weeds also appeared.
“The owner’s servants came to him and said, ‘Sir, didn’t you sow good seed in your field? Where then did the weeds come from?’
“‘An enemy did this,’ he replied.
“The servants asked him, ‘Do you want us to go and pull them up?’
“‘No,’ he answered, ‘because while you are pulling the weeds, you may uproot the wheat with them. Let both grow together until the harvest. At that time I will tell the harvesters: First collect the weeds and tie them in bundles to be burned; then gather the wheat and bring it into my barn.’”
You can probably already guess where this is going.
A few verses later, Jesus explains the “moral of the story” and what this parable really means for followers of Christ. First, he said that the good-seed-sower is Himself, Jesus Christ. The seeds are the people in the kingdom. The weed-seed-sower is Satan.
When “harvest” time comes (See also: Revelation) then the good and bad will be separated. Anything that is evil will be burned, thrown out with the “weeping and gnashing” of teeth. But the angels will harvest the righteous and they will “shine like the sun.”
Pretty intense for a simple gardening analogy, right?
So what does this mean for us? First, we must make sure that we are in the good-seed-category? Have we accepted Jesus? Do we follow Him? Are we sharing His word with others?
Secondly, we must be aware that we are not guaranteed tomorrow. The “harvest” can come at anytime, so if we are letting evil “weeds” grow in our life that directly oppose Christ, we will have to answer for that.
I personally would just rather stick close with the J-man and keep my flower garden maintained and weed-free as possible.
Take a look at your life. Is it full of wheat or weeds? What weeds have taken root in your life? What steps do you need to take to cast them out? Join the conversation and leave a comment here.
Don’t let the weeds of life take up permanent root in your heart. Grab your gardening gloves, get down on your knees and get to work… Jesus is ready to help you in preparation for harvest.
Pulling evil out by the roots,
“Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Whoever has ears, let them hear.” ~Matthew 13:43 NIV
Linking up today with Kelli via Unforced Rhythms, Laura at Playdates with God, and Joan’s Beauty in His Grip. Oh! And be sure to join our #EverydayJesus link-up community right here at 7 Days Time every Thursday!
