I revel in the beauty of nature – a glimpse of God’s meticulous artistry and science.
Isn’t God kind to create such awe-inspiring nature for us to enjoy? He blesses us - from the tiniest creatures to the largest mountains, the thunderous storms to the peaceful sunrises. In the beautiful flower and plant gardens, however, weeds grow - signs of our fallen state.
Weeds are not a chosen aspect of our landscaping. They show up, they grow, they multiply, they stifle – and they sometimes hurt. It’s so easy to not deal with weeds, to not exert the effort to yank out their roots out and get rid of them. If we do not, weeds find their way back…
Weeds remind me of the sin in my life. The sin slips in subtly and causes heartache. If I do not deal with it, that sin finds its way into other areas of my life as well. This not only hurts me and others; it hurts my God.
I don’t desire weeds in my faith garden, but if I don’t tend to my faith and pull out the weeds and replace those empty spots with godliness, the weeds will overtake. That is one reason I need to be proactively cultivating my faith.
As I was praying about my spiritual condition recently, I envisioned the weeds of bitterness and self-centeredness being yanked out by their roots. I asked the Holy Spirit to replace those weeds with forgiveness and mercy. In the letter B Keep on Track study of Luke 6:35-36, I also read about the plank in my eye. I was convicted of the forgiveness and kindness I need to extend, because my Father is merciful to me.
As the Holy Spirit was prompting me, I chose to put into practice the weekly verse, rather than rehearse past hurts from others. I thanked God for those individuals. I asked God to work in them and bless them. For the hurt I have caused them, I asked God for forgiveness, and I thanked God for his mercy to me.
I am motivated by God’s faithfulness and how the Word is applicable to my daily life. The Living Word is powerful and transforming. God knows what we need to grow us into his beautiful likeness.
Let’s allow God to be the gardener in our life’s flower bed.