Tuesday, June 4, 2019

WEEDS IN THE GARDEN OF LIFE

Summer finally made it in spite of the constant rain and crazy weather we experienced across the country this year. In my neighborhood everyone is playing catch up with their flower beds and lawn mowing. I jumped on the band wagon, rolled up my sleeves and planted flowers and mulched the beds in the cool air enjoying the sunshine after a dreary spring season.

It is always such a joy to stand back and admire your handiwork until, like a midnight invader, the carnage starts. It doesn't take much. One or two hot humid days and sticky nights to turn that beautifully landscaped paradise into a nightmare of...WEEDS.

 I have been studying about weeds in the book of Matthew 13: 24-29. Jesus talks about weeds being planted alongside good seed. Both crops start to grow together and you can't tell the good from the bad...at first glance. "When the wheat sprouted and formed heads, then the weeds appeared."

The parable goes on to say the servants asked the owner of the field why he planted such a bad crop. Jesus tells them it was the enemy that planted the weeds among the wheat but to leave them alone. Let both grow together until the harvest, and at harvest time I will tell the reapers to gather the weeds first and burn them... then take the wheat into my barn.

God is showing us his spiritual wheat field. He is patient with believers and unbelievers alike as he lets us grow side by side while we decide to follow Christ or fall in step with the ways of the world. It's also evident there are two types of people in God's garden, disciples and rebels, and a time is coming when God will separate one from the other. Don't be deceived. Satan planted the lies that keep many people from believing the authoritative word of God.

My take on this lesson is to patiently warn people of the coming judgement. Know what the Word of God says so we are not swayed by opinions that are half truths or outright lies. Evil will grow and thrive alongside the truth but God has the last word and will ultimately have a harvest.