Yesterday I found myself in a sweaty frenzy pulling weeds in our front yard. We live right at the edge of a heavily wooded nature reserves so weeds are everywhere along with leaves and sticks. However, I'm quite sure the weeds in my yard weren't actually what was bothering me. I think I was trying to weed my life of a negative personality and I wished I could just do it physically so I took it out on the weeds.
In one of my favorite parables Jesus talks about the weeds in a field:
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.’ ”
Matthew 13:24-30 NIV
I continued to pluck weed after weed with sweat running down my brown. What really boggles my mind is how quickly weeds spread. It seems this can be true for life and "weeds" that Jesus speaks of as well.
If you read further in Matthew, you will see Jesus was pretty serious in calling out these weeds and I'm not suggesting that everyone negative is "the devil", I'm just implying that we should be more cognizant of what is influencing us on a daily basis. I'm guessing you may work with a "weed" or live with a "weed", either way you have to protect you, your heart and your emotions and if you can't rid yourself of this cantankerous (hello....word of the day, I have to use it) sprout, how will you deal with it? It's obvious from my gardening experience that if it's not dealt with, the weeds will overcome the good. There is nothing better than this advice from Paul:
And that about wraps it up. God is strong, and he wants you strong. So take everything the Master has set out for you, well-made weapons of the best materials. And put them to use so you will be able to stand up to everything the Devil throws your way. This is no afternoon athletic contest that we’ll walk away from and forget about in a couple of hours. This is for keeps, a life-or-death fight to the finish against the Devil and all his angels.
Be prepared. You’re up against far more than you can handle on your own. Take all the help you can get, every weapon God has issued, so that when it’s all over but the shouting you’ll still be on your feet. Truth, righteousness, peace, faith, and salvation are more than words. Learn how to apply them. You’ll need them throughout your life. God’s Word is an indispensable weapon. In the same way, prayer is essential in this ongoing warfare. Pray hard and long. Pray for your brothers and sisters. Keep your eyes open. Keep each other’s spirits up so that no one falls behind or drops out.
Ephesians 6:10-18 MSG
I have a friend who is very choosy about who he hangs out with. At first I thought it was strange but then I realized he was just guarding himself from conversations and talk that he did not want to be a part of. Thinking back, I can now totally understand that decision!
I want you to think through your Rolodex of friends (If you use an actual Rolodex, you may not be cool, just sayin') and pick out two in your mind that lift you up. They encourage you, are truthful, and enrich your life. What if you were surrounded by people like this every day? Would it change how you could flourish and nurture others? How can you nudge yourself into an environment that will bring you to your fullest potential? Depending on where you are at, mentally, physically or spiritually this may seem impossible. Just like staring at my front yard full of weeds, making changes comes one weed at a time. If gardening is not your thing, then here is my suggestion and this is not easy:
Set your sights on who you need to be, who you believe God shaped you to be. Write those qualities and talents down! You will have days of doubt and naysayers will jabber negative talk in your ear, but take out your notes and remember where you are going. When you've been on track for awhile, you will begin to attract the kind of people that are much like the person on your list. God may change your heart overnight, but you have to stand by Him in everything to change the rest. Remember, God is the Gardener.
~Karen
Good-tempered leaders invigorate lives; they’re like spring rain and sunshine.
Proverbs 16:15 MSG
Proverbs 16:15 MSG
In simple humility, let our gardener, God, landscape you with the Word, making a salvation-garden of your life.
James 1:21 MSG
James 1:21 MSG
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