Friday, October 31, 2008

Weeds in the Fields...

I want to move a message to the main blog tonight as not much has happened lately. Same medical complaints and issues as we have every day. But today I was exercising at the gym on the cardio-glide and I was listening to the book of Matthew on my Ipod and a verse touched me a little. I have often wondered why God allows His people to be placed in a world that is full of sin. Certainly, God has the ability to get rid of those things that distract us and choke us out. But then I heard this verse and some of my questions were answered.

Matthew 13:24-30 24 He put another parable before them, saying, “The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a man who sowed good seed in his field, 25 but while his men were sleeping, his enemy came and sowed weeds [3] among the wheat and went away. 26 So when the plants came up and bore grain, then the weeds appeared also. 27 And the servants [4] of the master of the house came and said to him, ‘Master, did you not sow good seed in your field? How then does it have weeds?’ 28 He said to them, ‘An enemy has done this.’ So the servants said to him, ‘Then do you want us to go and gather them?’ 29 But he said, ‘No, lest in gathering the weeds you root up the wheat along with them. 30 Let both grow together until the harvest, and at harvest time I will tell the reapers, Gather the weeds first and bind them in bundles to be burned, but gather the wheat into my barn."

I started thinking about how as Christian, we are surrounded with weeds. I am not talking just about non-Christian people but other weeds that have the goal of taking us from Christ. Temptations and distractions in our lives like inappropriate entertainment, demanding jobs, gossip, laziness, apathy, marital strife, broken relationships, illnesses, etc. These are things that we have all asked God, why do these things exist when all they do is try to choke out our relationship with God and threaten our personal growth.

In this parable, the owner of the field could have told his servant to pull the weeds, but he didn't. He knew that his crop was still growing and needed to be protected from the damage that would come from removing the weeds. He new that his seeds were planted in good soil and could grow, even in the weeds, if they were nurtured and allowed to mature.

We are the Lord's crop and he is fully aware of the weeds that surrounds us. He knows that we are still growing and learning and in need of time to mature our relationship with Him. In 2 Peter 3:9 the scripture says that, 'The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but have ever lasting life.'

I take some encouragement from this as I understand that God is letting His crop's grow and mature. He also knows that there will be weeds that will try to choke us out. But if we continue to understand that we are planted in good soil; and if we keep growing towards the sun; and continue soaking up the water that leads to life; then we will survive the weeds and will be ready for harvest on that great day.

Take heart when you are feeling like the weeds are closing in around you. Christ hasn't left you. He is just being a prudent farmer and is being patient so that you and I can can grow and others can come to know.

God Bless,

Jeff

No comments: