There are always weeds.

Spring is here, and I am glad. Longer days, warm sunshine, green grass - yes! I put the snowblower in storage and hung up the snow shovels. I fired up the lawn mower and got out the rake. Both will be needed in my yard this week. It is a glorious time of year. But, it's not heaven. There are always weeds!

Let me repeat that - there are always weeds! Weeds are the perfect metaphor for sin, aren't they? They grow uninvited. They are persistent. They must be dug out including the roots. They mar the beauty of the lawn or garden. They flourish without fertilizer or rain. Anybody can grow a weed patch.

Disciple, in your heart, there are always weeds! After a glorious Easter worship service, after an inspiring spiritual retreat, in the afterglow of a sweet time in prayer, when great advances for the Kingdom of God are being made - the weed seeds are germinating. Paul speaks of "the temptation that is common in the human experience." 1 Corinthians 10.13 Peter reminds us of the ubiquity of the trials of life saying, "Dear friends, don't be surprised at the fiery trials you are going through, as if something strange were happening to you." (1 Peter 4:12, NLT) There are always weeds!

In the opening chapters of the Bible, we are told of God's amazing creative acts: all the wonder, amazing beauty, and Eve! Of it all, He said, "It is very good!" Then, Adam and Eve made the choice of disobedience and the tone changes. The evening walks with God became 'hide and seek' as the guilty pair tried to avoid His piercing gaze. And, there are weeds! "The ground will sprout thorns and weeds, you'll get your food the hard way, Planting and tilling and harvesting." (Genesis 3:18, The Message)

Until Heaven, we must deal with the weeds. We cannot surrender to them or give over the garden of our heart to them. If we desire a life that is filled with the ripen, beautiful fruit of the Spirit, we will have to work with God to weed out sin! Is it easy? No. Is it ever done? Sadly, no.
However, He does not leave us to deal with the weeds of life alone. Here's a word from the Word.

As you meditate on His promise, may you be strengthened to go and deal with the weeds.
"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light." - Matthew 11:28-30 (NIV)
________

O land of rest, for thee I sigh!
When will the moment come
When I shall lay my armor by
And dwell in peace at home?

We'll work till Jesus comes,
We'll work till Jesus comes,
We'll work till Jesus comes,
And we'll be gathered home.

To Jesus Christ I fled for rest;
He bade me cease to roam,
And lean for comfort on His breast
'Till He conduct me home.

I sought at once my Savior's side;
No more my steps shall roam.
With Him I'll brave death's chilling tide
And reach my heav'nly home.

We'll work till Jesus comes,
We'll work till Jesus comes,
We'll work till Jesus comes,
And we'll be gathered home.
- public domain