Life is funny. Its lessons come from places I would not expect. This spring, I learned a few from my garden… or weed patch, as some might call it. Spring came on quickly and with warm temperatures. Because there was still snow on Mica Peak, I ignored the call of the garden space and continued on with my very busy life. I’ll get to it… I’ve still got time. Fast forward to the middle of June and my little beds of weeds have overtaken life and now I’ve got a mess. As I’ve been out at various times trying to tame the wild beasts known as weeds, I’ve felt a stirring deep in my soul. My garden speaks a message to me about my own life. Here are a few things I have learned.
If left unattended and with the right conditions, the weeds will grow and grow and overtake all of the garden. The longer I wait to pull them, the more difficult it gets and the more work it takes. If I leave my spiritual life unattended because I’m too busy, things will overtake my heart and mind and keep them from being able to to flourish and grow as intended.
If I tend my garden and rid it of weeds, I must continue to maintain the space. If not, the weeds will grow back, sometimes more quickly than expected. When I get my spiritual life back on track, I must then work daily to keep it growing and flourishing. If not, those old habits and sin will show up again and again and again, each time a little more difficult to keep away… eventually ending up overgrown again.
If I clear part of my garden so a few plants can grow and flourish, I really need to clear away the rest. I’m trying to keep some raspberries alive while the other weeds I’ve not cleared away are lapping up to the berry plant and threatening to overtake it. I can’t compartmentalize my spiritual life, keeping some things separate from God. I must clear it all away and give Him everything… the entire space! If I leave some things hidden from Him, sin will eventually creep in and take over everything else. It’s all or nothing!
A garden does not start out big and flourishing. I must put in small plants and let it grow. It takes water and sunshine daily to help it grow and produce fruit. It takes time and patience and work. Eventually, the fruit will appear and I can reap what I’ve sown. My spiritual life is just that. I’ve got to take baby steps every day, closer to the heart of my Father. Each step is part of the journey. Over time, I will grow and begin to see the fruit of His work within me. Once things have matured, I can share my fruit with those around me, much like my garden. Once the plants have matured and grown fruit, I can share it with my friends.
Sometimes it seems as if weeds have overtaken our lives and we can’t see the forest for the trees. If we look up to the heavens and focus on what is the most important, we can see past the weeds and catch a glimpse of the blue sky.
So let’s keep focused on that goal, those of us who want everything God has for us. If any of you have something else in mind, something less than total commitment, God will clear your blurred vision – you’ll see it yet! Now that we’re on the right track, let’s stay on it. Phil 3:15-16
Thoughts and Reflections on Life 