Weeds

Nothing can send a gardener into a state of urgency quicker than finding weeds overtaking the garden. I have watched my husband spend hours pulling weeds from his garden. His training is in agriculture, so tending the garden is his domain. I don’t mind setting the seeds, but my tending the garden would lead to dead plants.

Weeds can be a pain in the garden, but they have provided some valuable spiritual lessons that I will share.

Weeds are classified as plants that are growing in the wrong place, undesirable plants that can interfere with the welfare of people. Weeds, which are stronger by nature than desirable plants, can choke the desired plant and limit its growth, leading to a loss of crop. For the Christian, the bad habits we allow to grow can be likened to weeds: unforgiveness, self-righteousness, and wasting time, just to name a few. These harm our spiritual growth, along with the weeds of frequenting the wrong places or cultivating relationships that lead us away from God.

Second, I have discovered that weeds are prolific. They can grow anywhere, lying dormant for years, just waiting for the right moment to spring up. Wind, soles of shoes, tools, the tractor tray—all can transport seeds that then germinate. I must guard against weeds that appeal to human nature. Every day through prayer and quality time with God, I must submit my will to Him. Like weeds, my habits do not like to be controlled.

Finally, a weed can be a plant whose virtue has not yet been discovered. When we look at ourselves in our sinful state, we tend not to see virtue or value. Yet God, the true Husbandman, sees our possibilities. He can add value; He knows where our true purpose can be revealed and where we can bloom. Only the One who knows true value can distinguish between that which is a weed and that which is a true plant. Allow God to tend you today and replace the unwanted seeds and weeds in your life with good seeds and fruit.

 Greta Michelle Joachim-Fox-Dyett