Fighting those “Life” WEEDS!
It’s garden season! I love fresh vegetables, but there’s a lot of labor required to produce a good garden.
A lot of that work is defense–defending the vegetable plants against the invasion of weeds, insects, and pests that eat both plant and fruit. Today, I’m going to focus on weeds, a persistent threat that attempts to overpower and ultimately choke out the plants that we work so hard to nurture.
We’ve been blessed with lots of rain this year. That’s great for the garden and weeds love it, too. Those unwelcome plants spring up overnight, grow faster than our vegetables, and steal the nourishment from the our plants. Weeds don’t want to share–they want it all! (Of course that’s also the goal of deer, turkeys, and ground hogs–they want all of the harvest!)
In Chapter 8 of the Book of Luke, Jesus shares the Parable of the Sower. A large crowd has gathered to listen to His message and Jesus describes the farmer sowing his seed. Some seed fell on the path and were either trampled or eaten by birds. Some seed fell on rocky ground that had inadequate nourishment for the plants. Jesus describes what happens to the seed that fell among the weeds:
Other seed fell among the thorns, which grew up with it and choked the plants.” Luke 8:7
As Jesus interpreted the parable for his disciples, he explained the symbolism of the seed which fell among the thorns:
The seed that fell among the thorns stands for those who hear, but as they go on their way they are choked by life’s worries, riches, and pleasures and they do not mature.” Luke 8:14
OUCH! Aren’t we all sometimes “choked” by life’s worries and responsibilities? But, we have hope that we will mature as Christians and not fall away from our Savior, don’t we?
How can we do this–when “weeds of life” threaten to overtake us? How can we be seed the falls on good soil and flourishes to serve the Master?
But the seed on good soil stands for those with a noble and good heart, who hear the word, retain it, and by persevering produce a crop.” Luke 8:15
A good crop . . . That’s what we hope for in our garden. But, that’s also what I’m praying for in life–to produce a life of service to my Lord–a good crop.
How can we do that?
My garden helps me see workable strategies. To get rid of the weeds that threaten to overpower and choke our plants, we use tools.
There are lots of tools available to help fight weeds. A hoe is my usual weapon against weeds.
Of course, hands are a powerful defense–pulling those plants up from the roots is the most effective way to eliminate their threat. Gloves work very well to protect my hands during that chore.
And, when we need some bigger tools–we use the tractor, the tiller, and my best weapon against weeds–Farmer Bob!
We can use those same strategies against the “weeds” in our own lives.
Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. Ephesians 6:11
When stress threatens to overwhelm us. When temptation creeps into our lives. When anger and frustration cause us to lose our temper. When jealousy and envy create an obsession with material things and make us lose sight of what’s really important. When the devil attacks and attempts to separate us from God, we pull out our tools to fight those weeds:
Prayer–God is always just a prayer away. Just as I do some of my best weeding in the garden on my knees–prayer can be a powerful weapon to keep “weeds” from overtaking my life.
Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. 1 Peter 5:7
Praise and Worship–While we can’t always be in church every Sunday (or more often), fellowship with other believers in praise and worship is another part of our Armor of God, another tool to keep the devil at bay. Jesus promised us:
“For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them. Matthew 18:20
Bible Reading and Study–Being in God’s Word is another vital part of our defense against the “weeds” of life. Reading and studying scripture on a daily basis gives us the knowledge to defeat the devil’s attacks on us.
Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is–his good, pleasing and perfect will. Romans 12:2
So, just as I fight the weeds in my garden with appropriate tools, God provides grace and the weapons for me to fight the “weeds” in my life as well. What “weeds of life” are you fighting? May I pray for you? Please comment below or send me a message on the contact page if you desire prayer. If you have strategies that have worked for you in your battle with “weeds” in your life, please share for us.
Wishing you Joy on the Journey of life, my friends and victory over the WEEDS!
I love how God gives us metaphors for life as we go about our tasks each day. He teaches us through even those most mundane things like weeds!
I was in the garden most of today trying to get rid of the weeds the rain has blessed so generously. But, the sun was warm on my back and I had a lovely breeze AND I pulled a LOT of weeds so the vegetables can grow. So wonderful to be outside in God’s awesome creation. Wishing you blessings, my friend.
Thanks for the great post. I, too, battle the weeds in my garden. But tonight I had fresh squash from my garden and I’m reminded, it’s so worth the work of weeding.
Fresh squash! Yummy! We might get a few tomorrow. I like them best fried–how about you? I hope those “life” weeds are under control for you, too! Sometimes when we’re up on the mountain (as we were at the conference), we crash to the valley when we return. Hope your writing is going well!
I love your reference to Ephesians 6:11. We need to wear the armor of God. That is insightful! Thanks for the encouragement.
Thank you, Diane! I appreciate your encouragement, too. God is our protector, He will provide the armor, but we have to make the decision to put it on. Sometimes I struggle with that aspect–think I can do it all myself. But, God usually quickly puts me in my place. Wishing you a blessed day!
Love this! Sometimes visuals help us to understand the many “tools” available in God’s word.
Thank you, Beckie! Visuals and symbolism have always been very helpful to me. And, God’s Word is packed with metaphors and word pictures to help us understand the message. We are so blessed!