Pulling weeds is one of my least favorite chores. When I can, I wait for a cool morning or pleasant evening to do this back-aching chore. I usually have helpers. Poppy and the chickens follow closely while I uproot all sorts of unwanted prickly, stemmy, tall, unattractive or unsafe vegetation from around their houses, pens and play areas. Their happy chatter cheers me on while I unearth a feast of juicy worms, slugs, grubs and crickets “just for them”. They will even gobble up an occasional long-legged, hairy, spider. (Ugh, I am so glad I am not a duck.)
I wear gloves to protect my hands from the thorns. Why do so many weeds have thorns?!
In ‘The Parable of the Sower’ (told in three of the gospels: Matthew 13:1-23, Mark 4:1-20, Luke 8:4-15) Jesus explains that the thorns/weeds represent things in our lives (such as worries, anxiety, pursuit of wealth) that “choke out” the Word of God (Mark 4:19), preventing us from being “fruitful” or “mature”. This is an excellent reminder to put God first, to keep our priorities straight and of the consequences of distractions.
There was something else I noticed while I was pulling those prickly weeds today. These were not the same weeds I pulled out last time. These were not the same weeds grown back, or seeds grown up from last year’s weeds – no, I was pulling a totally different species of weed (if that is the right way to say it!).
Last year, I pulled out dozens (felt like a million) of tall, spiny, thistle plants. They invaded the pasture play and grazing spaces. I was intentional about digging out the whole root – so they wouldn’t come back. And they didn’t. I don’t know what kind of plants I pulled today, but they were definitely not thistles. There were, however, just as invasive and unwanted in my healthy pasture!
The enemy is sneaky like that. If you conquer one insecurity, distraction, weakness – he looks for another way in. Pull one “weed” and a different one grows in it’s place. Be careful. Stay humble, stay alert, stay focused on the ONE who will continue to guide and strengthen you. The God who moves mountains, will be right there with you in the dirt – pulling the weeds and fighting the thorns. So keep your gloves on…and stay close to the Sower.
“Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong. Do everything in love.” 1 Cor. 16:13
