Weed or Rose?
You ever have one of those moments when you look at something completely different than you had the other 5,000 times you've looked at it? I was sitting at my kitchen table eating lunch gazing in to my backyard. The profound moment I had was not that I have neglected my backyard...that's pretty obvious. As I stared at my browning grass, the abundance of weeds, the numerous piles of dog bombs, and scattered kids toys, something struck me in a way I wasn't anticipating. The typical reaction to such a mess would be, "Time to do some yard work!" However, the Lord placed something on my heart. His simple, yet profound words to me were, "See what happens when people don't feel the need to put effort in to their relationship with Me?"
I was given the vision of what happens in our spiritual life when no effort is put in to developing a relationship with the Lord. The doors are left wide open for the enemy to plant weeds of sin in one's life. Hard work will produce fruit of righteousness (John 15:5). On the flip side, not doing any work will produce plenty of growth as well...it just won't be what you'd expect (Colossians 3:5-9). We're told that Satan is waiting to pounce (1 Peter 5:8). He's searching for anyone who's guard is not up. Someone who hasn't been cultivating their relationship with the Lord. In those he'll implant weeds of discourse. Most of the time it'll be subtle, and before you know it, you're spiritual yard is full of weeds, debris, and all kinds of "bombs". At this point, people will look at your life and know beyond a shadow of a doubt, it's time for you to be pruned.
“I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit." (John 15:1-2)
Don't allow yourself to get lazy, slothful, and idle. These are moments of weakness. These are the times you'll find yourself looking up and saying, "How did I get here?! Lord I need you now more than ever!" And by the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, He'll lift you up by His righteous hand.
Living for the Lord requires hard work. It requires effort. When you take the time to study scripture and apply it to your life, you'll find yourself yielding the kind of fruit that leads to everlasting life. Strive to be the Christian that lives for Him, shines for Him, and brings forth the beauty of His blessings. Sometimes you need to be clipped in order to become the person God wants you to be. So, you can either wait to be pruned (which I don't recommend), or you can eliminate the weeds in your life in order to bring glory to the One who gave you life.
Your choice: weed or rose?
