Isn't sin that way too? We might have a fruitful and flowering life. Then a little sin weed sprouts. Perhaps we watch a TV show or movie we know doesn't glorify God. Maybe we're hanging out with someone who we know brings out the worst in us instead of us bringing out the best in them. "It's not a big deal," we tell ourselves. But if we don't pull that tiny sin weed, in a few weeks it can grow in to bigger sin, robbing us of our righteousness and relationship with God.
Lazy gardeners don't want to do the weeding work, which involves getting to the root. They may be tempted just to cover over the weeds with mulch. We too may be tempted to just cover over our sin. If no one sees it, it doesn't matter does it? But just like the covered over weeds grow stronger roots and appear again, our hidden sin gets deeply rooted in our lives...and will at some time come out, possibly robbing our reputation and hurting our families.
Getting rid of weeds requires deep digging. So does getting rid of sin! Every other Wednesday, we'll be "digging deep" into the Word, to dig out our sin issues and plant fresh seeds in our soul. We use living water to water the seed. And in the end, we'll reap a bountiful harvest!
Luke 8:11 -- "This is the meaning of the parable: The seed is the word of God."
John 7:38 -- {Jesus said} "Whoever believes in me...streams of living water will flow from within him."
Galatians 6:9 -- Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.
11 comments:
That was great post! I'm excited about joining with you to dig deeper!
God Bless you!
Julie
Good morning, Kelly!
Oh, friend...I don't want to be a lazy gardener either! It is work. It is daily discipline in God's Word, the seed. It is moment-by-moment yielding to Him.
I am thankful HE brings forth the fruit as we abide in HIM! Some days I don't feel too fruity, but He is faithful!
Love you, friend! So looking forward to digging deeper with you!
Sharon
It can be easy or difficult to see that the roots of what we have sown are bad. We need to look to our "Master Gardener" to help us discern what is sin that needs to be removed and how best to remove it. (Lather-rinse-repeat!)
Those "hard to love" folks that look like weeds in our garden have been planted there for a reason. With God's blessings of love, right words, prayer, encouragement, action--whatever He is requiring of us--that "weed" can blossom into something beautiful.
You can't miss with a gardening post, even if you don't enjoy gardening :-)
This is a very timely post for me, Kelly. Just had some landscapers come in and over-haul my back yard. The previous owner of this house did NOTHING to maintain (what I'm told) was lovely at one time. And the weeds were just too much for me.
But their tractor thing-y dug real deep and took it all away.
Now I am committed to keeping the weeds away - pulling them as soon as I see them, so they won't take over again.
Hmmm. Kinda like Jesus. He did the Work on the cross - took care of the mess that was too big for us. And now we need to do the regular weeding!
great message, thank you!
Good post and great analogy!
Great devotion~ I love the look of the blog:)
Terri - did you link over from FB? Thanks!
Great analogy Kelly! I've been dealing with tree roots in the sewer line today. Some sins really do require some deep digging and perseverance to eradicate.
Great analogy. I grew up on a farm, and I know how hard all the weeding and gardening can be. Ditto for soul farming. Keep posting! We need to hear these things. (Well, at least I do.)
Nice look and feel to this.
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