As I was mowing the grass, I mean as I was mowing the weeds, the Holy Spirit inspired me to write this blog.  Why is it that the grass becomes dry and dies in the hot sun but the weeds seem to still grow?  The same truth can apply to our lives.  When the hot sun (struggles of life) comes, it is tempting to allow weeds to grow in our heart instead of the green grass.  When difficulties occur, and they will, our  hearts can become fertile soil for weeds to pop up.  Weeds of bitterness, unforgiveness, greed, a critical spirit, selfishness, pride, self-pity, a judging spirit, a negative attitude, etc.

“looking carefully lest anyone fall short of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up cause trouble, and by this many become defiled;”   Hebrews 12:15

We need to “look carefully” at our yards (lives) and see if there is any weeds taking root in our hearts.  These weeds will “spring up and cause trouble.” So, what do we do if there are weeds in our yard?  I’m glad you asked.  The first step is to call a weed what it is–a weed.  The morning glory to some people is a flower to be enjoyed.  But if you have ever worked in tobacco then you know that a morning glory is not a flower but is a weed.  The morning glory would attach itself to the tobacco plant and hold on for dear life when you go to cut the stalk.  I have had many a tug of war with a morning glory for that tobacco stalk. Weeds of sin are similar to the morning glory.  Satan tries to deceive us that our weeds are really flowers to enjoy.  Bitterness becomes a way of life.  Self-pity becomes that flower in our garden that we tend and care for.  Satan is the great deceiver and is good about convincing us that our weeds are really flowers.  We are good about noticing everybody’s else weeds and can point them out quickly, but we think that our weeds are really flowers.  So, if we are going to get rid of weeds, first we must honestly admit to God and ourselves that they are weeds.

Once we confess our sin to God, then we can begin to allow the Holy Spirit to pull up by the roots those weeds in our heart.  This sounds painful and in most cases it is.  For many of us, we have allowed those weeds to grow for a long time, and it will be difficult to change attitudes and actions.  It is tempting to just mow them down where others won’t see them anymore and leave the root in our hearts.  But when you do this they will always come back.  Many times we address the symptoms but never the root of our problem, sin.  Once you recognize those weeds in your heart, confess them to Jesus and ask the Holy Spirit to pull them up by the roots and help you not to plant them again.

One thing I noticed as I was mowing, the grass is green in the shade.  Even though in certain times of the day, the hot sun stills bears down on this grass, it remains green because it spends time in the shade.  I love this part, if we will spend time in the shade we also can grow green grass in our yards (lives).

“And there will be a tabernacle for shade in the daytime from the heat, for a place of refuge, and for a shelter from storm and rain.”   Isaiah 4:6

“…I sat down in his shade with great delight…”  Song of Solomon 2:3

Even though we live a lot of our lives in the heat of the sun, we can find refuge in the shade of Jesus!  It is in the presence of Jesus where we grow and are nourished.  It is in the presence of Jesus where our roots grow deeper and stronger.  It is in the presence of Jesus where we find shelter from the storm and rain.  It is in the presence of Jesus where we can rest from the heat of the sun.  The green grass stands out in the heat of the sun from all the dry grass.  In the same way we stand out in this world when we don’t wither or grow weeds in the heat of the sun.  While everyone else at work are growing weeds of negative attitudes and bitterness, you can grow green grass of hope and joy because you have been in the shade.  There is no sweeter place then in the shade.  When we read the Word of God, we are in the shade.  When we pray, we are in the shade. When we gather to worship at church, we are in the shade.  Are you spending time in the shade?

Last thought about mowing the weeds, there are many you go to school with and work with that are withering in the heat of the sun.  How about inviting them to the shade.  They see the difference in your life, green grass instead of weeds, and may be just waiting for you to invite them to the shade-Jesus!  How about starting with inviting them to church with you this Sunday.

During this July 4th weekend, we celebrate our freedom.  Thank you to all those who have served and are currently serving in the military.

As you mow this weekend, reflect if there are weeds in your yard (life) and if there is, ask the Holy Spirit to pull them up by the roots.  Then spend time in the shade (Jesus) and invite others to join you.

Life is a journey, learn on the way!  Till next time, stay in the Scripture!

Pastor Jon