“There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven… a time to plant and a time to uproot…” – Ecclesiastes 3:1 & 2 –
So, one of our primary tasks while serving in Ukraine this month is gardening… It’s not just a little 5′ x 5′ plot of land that we’re working in for growing cherry tomatoes, chives, or daisies… No, our host owns a HALF ACRE piece of land out in the fields!! This is real, heavy-duty “gardening!”
We began last week by tilling the soil and pulling out roots and sifting the land to prepare it for spreading the seed. As we worked through it, we came across many roots of different kinds of weeds. On several occasions, we came across really deep roots that we were told were from trees that used to grow on the land.
Now, the roots from the smaller weeds – like dandilions, patches of grass, and the like – were relatively easy to get out. You didn’t even need a hoe or rake. But those tree roots were tough! I’d have to dig down deep to try to find the start to get it completely out.
God spoke to me of how this is an analogy for our walk with Him…
“See to it that no one misses the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many.” – Hebrews 12:15 –
And in the parable of the sower, Jesus spoke of the seed that fell among thorns – “The one who received the seed that fell among the thorns is the man who hears the word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke it, making it unfruitful.” – Matthew 13:22 –
God desires for all of us to grow into our full potential, which He Himself created us for… Just as flowers that are thriving provide nectar for the bees to make honey, fill the air with wonderful fragrance, and simply proclaim God’s existence and glory through their natural beauty, He desires our lives to do the same…
But weeds suffocate flowers and eventually cause them to die… Some weeds are small and it takes little effort to uproot them, while others run deep and take a lot of perspiration, strength, and effort to uproot! It’s difficult work, but once they are uprooted, they can be gone for good!
So, I’m motivated to reflect on my own life… What are the weeds choking the life right out of me? Bitterness? Jealousy? Pride? Self-sufficiency? Anger? Unbelief? And, how deep do their roots run?
As I noticed in the garden, to remove the tree roots, it took asking a teammate for help. Some roots in our lives are so deep that we need to ask for help, for creative solutions and accountability so that we can grow.
So, are there any roots in your life choking your ability to live in peace? Ask Jesus to help you – He can take them all and in exchange will give you His joy and peace. Ask a close friend to pray with you and walk with you in your garden to pull out the weeds…
It’s God’s will for us to be the beautiful person He created us to be free from all the ugly personality traits of a weed!
