Life is a gentle taskmaster for those who are able to learn the ebb and flow of its ways. Some days it appears as a gentle rippling brook gurgling through a soft green valley. At other times it seems to be a raging torrent destroying anything close as it roars relentlessly past. It can be a bit like watching a high speed motorcycle going through tight turns. If the rider leans well into the turn then the centrifugal force will counter the force of gravity and they will speed through unscathed. However, if the rider attempts to remain totally upright in defiance of the lessons learned by previous riders and previous turns, disaster awaits. Lessons learned in life equates to less conflict, consternation and much more enjoyment.
So perhaps I can learn a lesson or two about how life is meant to be. Perhaps if I will only listen to what the weed will say to me. No, the weed is not so pretty as to be desired by many. Nor is it sought for its pleasant fragrance or bright colors under the burning sun. It sucks the nutrients from the soil depriving other plants in need. It denies the precious minerals of their ‘life enriching power’ to strengthen new seed. So I’d like to tell, if you don’t mind, what need have I to learn from the weed and their kind.
It is strengthened with only a little sun and water. As soon as it’s able it sprouts up sons and daughters. Some roots travel far and some dig deep. Most plants grow in the light and in the night they sleep. Their leaves open for the dew and seek out the rain. Weeds quickly cover good soil and from its riches they drain. They are prone to be prickly and produce bold trunks quickly. They cover the grounds and grasses and walks. They tower above good growth, shading healthy sunlight from young stalks. The good fruit producing plants cannot grow when crowded out by weeds determined to make a show. Even if they wrap their tentacles around the weeds to try to pull them down, they will only be taken in directions they do not want to go. There must be someone to reach into this place, to counter this evil growing before their face.
A gardener who has learned from the lessons of life will begin early to remove the weeds’ young sprouts. They take care to know the difference between the rough and the fair. Sometimes they’ll wait until it’s easier to tell which needs to grow and which needs to be pulled. The gardener will protect young plants with mulch. They’ll dung them and water them and nurture each one.
Though weeds will come and thorns will grow, the gardener protects with what he does know. The battle is his alone to win. For the plants have no power within by which they can defend. The light is for growth and darkness for rest, until the abundance of harvest yields the best.
In much the same way God is in your life. He’s determined to relieve your stress and strife. He sees the things which steal your strength. He knows the power of bad roots at their length. He tears up your soil pulling out the enemy’s stalk. He waters and straightens and makes good places to walk. He tenderly tends and loves lovingly, protecting with His mighty power far above the imagination of any evil which desires to creep in.
He weeds and feeds and waters His sons and daughters. He is the light which is best for them to grow and the shade in the night for rest He bestows. Just as the weeds will attack fair plants, men will know sin. The battle belongs to the gardener to win. So He will do, for He works among His children to recover them from sin.
The scripture is clear. The battle is His. I am tasked with casting my burdens on Him for I cannot bear them myself. I cannot root out the weeds. I can only trust that He will as I do what I am designed for. I am blooming where He has planted me. The weeds are His task. Mine is to grow and produce much fruit so He will be glorified. If I try to reach out and attach myself to the sins so I can remove it, I will be led away from producing the fruit I am purposed for. I cannot pull the weeds. I cannot water the ground. I cannot bring the sunlight nor put protective mulch down. My Heavenly father knows I have need of all these things.
The weeds will come. An enemy has sowed them into my master’s garden. He is the faithful friend who will take some away and allow me to flourish amongst those who stay. The lessons of the weed are many to know. Whether there are few or many God wants me to grow. If I will allow the gardener to pluck the weeds, I can’t help but meet others needs. Good plants don’t pluck up weeds; they simply produce the fruit they can with what they have been given to work with. Bloom where you are planted, bloom a lot. Stay away from the weeds. Let God remove the weeds.