"Weeds"

Weeds amaze me.  My grass has not grown for a month, but I have some weeds in my yard that are growing like I am watering them every day.  I am amazed how weeds need so little to grow.  Give them just a tiny crack in the sidewalk and a weed will call it home.   Weeds can grow any place, any time. 

We are well served to remember that truth for our lives as well, aren't we?  Weeds can grow any place, any time. Weeds can grow in the happiest of times or in the driest of times, in the worst or best of relationships, in the weakest or strongest Christ-Followers, in the unhealthiest or healthiest of churches...weeds can grow any place...not only can they, but Jesus says they will...

Matthew 13:24-30

The Parable of the Weeds

²⁴ Jesus told them another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like^(A) a man who sowed good seed in his field. ²⁵ But while everyone was sleeping, his enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat, and went away. ²⁶ When the wheat sprouted and formed heads, then the weeds also appeared.
²⁷ “The owner’s servants came to him and said, ‘Sir, didn’t you sow good seed in your field? Where then did the weeds come from?’
²⁸ “‘An enemy did this,’ he replied.
“The servants asked him, ‘Do you want us to go and pull them up?’
²⁹ “‘No,’ he answered, ‘because while you are pulling the weeds, you may uproot the wheat with them. ³⁰ Let both grow together until the harvest. At that time I will tell the harvesters: First collect the weeds and tie them in bundles to be burned; then gather the wheat and bring it into my barn.’”<sup>(B)

I fnd this parable of Jesus very interesting.  He acknowledges that in this life weeds will always grow along side of wheat. Like the servants, many people think there is something wrong with the seed.  They say, "I don't go to church because of hypocrits.  But Jesus said the problem is not with the seed.  The seed is good.  The problem is the enemy can sow weeds any place we allow him; even among the wheat.  

Then , I think, with the servants, "Well, let's go pull the weeds!"  But Jesus says, weed pulling is his job not ours.  Our job is to let him show us the weeds and then to depend on him to pull what we cannot.

Last week I was praying about weeds of distraction (as Jesus calls them in another parable).  I named all the weeds in my life and in LH that I can see and I prayed, "Lord, what do you want me to do with these weeds?"  In response, I simply saw his hands pulling the weeds.  He was confirming what he shares in the parable.  He is the only one who can pull the weeds the enemy sows in our lives, relationships and in His church.  

The questions is, will I...will you trust him to pull the weeds or will we buy into the lie that the seed is bad and walk away cynical and depressed? Will we think it is our job to pull the weeds and end up uprooting good wheat?  Or will we trust him to pull the weeds in his own way and in his own time?

"Father, help me to know the difference between wheat and weeds. Help me not to let weeds keep me from seeing teh god wheat you are harvesting even now.  Help me to trust you to do the job of weed pulling.  I admit that when I try to pull them I just make things worst. Amen." 

 Any body else need to pray that prayer with me?</sup>