Thursday, April 25, 2013

By: Gwen Hitt

Spiritual "Weeding"

I Peter 5:7 Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you. 

I have never been much of a gardener. To be perfectly honest, I have always placed the blame on my husband for the lack of flowers and plants in our yard. I have repeated throughout the years what my husband once told me - "If anything gets in the way of my lawn mower, it will be run over." This has been my out - my excuse. I truly believe that the entire process of weeding is what keeps me from the desire to have a beautiful yard. I've NEVER enjoyed WEEDING.

Unfortunately, weeding is a vital component of a healthy flower garden. From my research on the topic, I learned that weeds suck up the water and fertilizer meant for other plants, they block out sunlight when they get too big, and their roots can choke and kill the roots of the other plants.

As I read this, I was reminded of how we allow our lives to be overcome by the WEEDS of worry, doubt, uncertainty, anger, fear, etc. These weeds have the potential to keep us away from being nourished by the Word of God. These weeds can also block out our access to the SON when we allow them to get too large in our lives. Finally, as these weeds spread out, they are likely to kill the good things that God is trying to PLANT in each of us.

Today's scripture encourages us to cast EVERYTHING that is causing us anxiety to the Lord. My challenge to you today is to pull up ALL of those pesky weeds of life that have found their way into your heart and mind by their roots. Then, I encourage you to totally cast them to the Lord.

Since weeding - like housework - is one of those chores that just never goes away, it is important to consistently maintain your garden - your life!!! As these weeds begin to surface, don't fret. John15:1 offers advice as to where you can go for help: "I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener." God is a very capable gardener - One that is waiting on your call to rid your life of the weeds that have the ability to overtake your very potential.

Dear Lord, I appreciate Your willingness to help me completely WEED my life of everything that is not of You. I know that You desire for my life to be in order because You are a God of order!

I thank You, my Jesus, for dying for me. I believe that You are Lord and that God raised You from the grave so that I can have eternal life.