Many a garden has begun with hopes as high as the heavens, only to be dashed by the plethora of challenges faced by the everyday person aspiring to the title of “green-thumb”.
Of the many challenges, the pesky weed has to rank somewhere at the top of the bane of the would-be gardener’s existence.
The earth is fascinating. Many mysteries remain therein unsolved. From the vast and open prairies to the mountains stretching upward in their–at times–gaunt and melancholy reaches. The forests with their autumnal coverings, and the swamplands with spongy surfaces all tell of the vast array of growth’s opportunities. The earth’s ground, comprised of billions of microorganisms, strangely refuses to be barren unless willed by forces outside its control. In its pre-ordained fashion, it will cover itself up at first blush. It’s a shy companion whose rapid response to being exposed will present the ever-optimistic would-be green-thumb gardener with their first formidable and unrelenting problem…the weed.
My family and I have embarked on this journey of would-be gardeners and aspiring green-thumbs. We’ve failed more than we’ve succeeded, but we’ve learned every season to deal with the weed in one swooping fashion…immediately.
We’ve let weeds grow too long only to deal with their cozy and unwelcome cousins. They not only flower and seed, but also creep and crawl. Experience has taught me that the seed-bank of weeds patiently waiting for oxygen and sunlight through the tilling and turning over of the soil is not worth the momentary beauty of freshly exposed earth. Thus, we have opted for the no-till method, but the vexing weed challenges still remain. For instance, the air-born weed, the bird-born weed, and the subsurface spreading weed nevertheless endure and challenge us with their persistence. The only truly effective method of dealing with weeds is to deal with them straight on.
If we relent…if we delay…if we forgo the burdensome and tiresome task of uprooting, pulling, and otherwise removing the pesky weed, we will pay…we will pay big time.
The weed itself is earth’s response to cover, and it is inexorable in its boastful extravagance; however, it does have a weakness.
The weed, though a formidable foe, has a paralyzing fragility as it first begins to stretch itself and break free from its seed casing or extend through its shoot.
If the weed is plucked, pulled, cut, or otherwise removed before it reaches maturity, then it will be stymied. It may have more tentacles–as is the case with bermuda grass in the garden–but it is still able to be stunted, slowed, and ultimately defeated if dealt with in its infancy.
And so, when I first teach my daughters the beneficial tactics we aim to employ in our garden in order to enjoy its fruit, one of the first lessons I teach is the lesson of the weed.
“The weed,” I tell my children, “…is to be pulled when it first makes its appearance.” “The reasons,” I go on, “…are that (1) it is easier to remove–making it more likely that you will continue weeding and (2) it has not set its seed–ensuring that it will not spread as quickly.”
The lesson ends, and we weed.
How Does This Apply To Us Today?
Sin is like weeds in the garden. Weeds are there because of the curse that came upon mankind and the earth after the fall of man. Sin continues because of man’s evil intentions. The power of sin has been defeated by Christ on the cross and subsequent resurrection from the grave, but sin’s presence remains.
We, Christians, have one choice on how to deal with sin. Will we face it straight on or will we turn away and bury it under the layers of shame, fear, guilt, and pride?
When we approach sin the way we approach weeds in the garden, we have the benefit of enjoying precious, delightful, and satisfying fruit from the garden.
What is one way we can deal with sin?
Confess. To confess mean to agree that one has committed an act not in accordance with God’s desires. When we confess, we agree with God that what we did (or avoided) was wrong. In the case of human relationships, when we confess our wrongs early to those we have hurt or harmed, we deal with very small roots. On the other hand, when we choose instead to avoid, disregard, or delay our actions, we allow the roots of sin to take hold, establish themselves, go to seed, and ultimately spread.
That’s why Jesus said, “Therefore, if you are presenting your offering at the altar, and there you remember that your brother has something against you, leave your offering there before the altar and go; first be reconciled to your brother, and then come and present your offering.” –Matthew 5:23-24
What is Jesus trying to get His disciples to understand? If you’re not reconciled with your brother, don’t try to enjoy fellowship with God. Go, deal with your brother…pull the roots when they’re small…it’s easier than waiting. Jesus is wanting His disciples (and ultimately all of His followers) to know that when we deal with sin early, when we deal with it straight on, we stymie its growth, we decimate its effectiveness, and we receive the compassion of God.
“One who conceals his wrongdoings will not prosper,
But one who confesses and abandons them will find compassion.”
Proverbs 28:13
— December 16, 2020