In need of weeding

Isn’t it amazing how quickly gardens can be overtaken with weeds? I went out this evening thinking I would plant my tomatoes. Little did I realize that I had a whole bagful of weeds that needed pulled before I could plant anything.

Our hearts, like gardens, continually get overgrown by false ideas, priorities, desires, or concerns. We begin viewing the tasks before us as mere tasks to get done instead of as opportunities to praise and serve our Creator. We fret and worry instead of resting in our Father’s provisions. We get consumed with projects and plans instead of stilling our heart before our Creator. We put our eyes on those around us, making others our audience instead of the Lord. We view the difficulties that come into our lives as obstacles instead of blessings in disguise. We base decisions regarding our futures, jobs, days, and basic interactions with others on our own worldly thinking, forgetting that God’s thoughts are not our thoughts, nor our His ways our ways (Isaiah 55:9).

But praise God! We have a Heavenly Father who lovingly keeps tugging on our weeds, urging us to let Him pull them and bring us back to Himself. Every day, we have the opportunity to come before our Heavenly Gardener and ask Him to take our thoughts and feelings and give us His instead.

As you go about today, I would encourage you to stop yourself frequently and take a “weed” check. Ask yourself, Are my eyes still focused on the King, or have weeds crept in and begun to block my spiritual vision? As the Lord shows you weeds, ask Him to pull them. Continually bring your thoughts and feelings about issues before Him and ask Him to transform them and give you His. Remember that our hearts, like gardens, continually need weeding.

Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. Romans 12:2

– christian perspective