Each year, as winter fades into spring, I’m always amazed by the new weeds that emerge. As I walk through my yard, assessing what needs mending or tidying up, I can’t help but notice how nature quietly reshapes itself, with weeds sprouting in places they hadn’t before. This small ritual reminds me that change is happening everywhere, not just in my own backyard. It is also my reminder that I have to fight weeds.
A few weeks ago my pastor (Nick Wright) preached a sermon on the Parable of the Sower as found in Matthew 13.
In that parable that Jesus told we see four types of ground in which the Word of God is being spread. In one way the four types of soil today represent four types of people and how they accept and live in the Word of God.
Path – the heart of these people are hard. They want nothing to do with God or His goodness.
Rocky soil – initially these people are excited about God, but because the Word does not take root it will wither away.
Thorns – these people have good soil in which the Word of God can take root, but the thorns and weeds that are around them soak up more nutrients and keep them from flourishing.
Good soil – there are people who receive God’s Word, apply it to their lives and produce much fruit.
As followers of Jesus I believe we all want to be characterized by having good soil, and I believe we try to varying degrees to live that way. But I see too often that I become entangled in the thorns or weeds.
I want to live for Jesus each and every day. I want to consume His Word and spend much time in prayer. I want to be so on fire for Jesus that it is contagious to others. I want to help others understand the greatness of God that I have come to know so far in my life.
But then there are weeds.
That takes my mind back to the weeds that are starting to show themselves in my yard. I have to get out in the yard and start to identify the weeds that will take nutrients away from the plants that I want to grow healthy.
And that is how I also need to adjust my lifestyle as a disciple of Jesus. I need to take a good assessment of the weeds that are taking my time and energy away from following Jesus. I have them, and they somehow sneak in on me. On a regular basis I need to make some adjustments so I can flourish the way pleases Jesus.