Pulling Up Weeds

I am growing to despise them. The weeds loom everywhere. Nasty things, going strong and fast. Have to rip them out or they simply take over. Choking out everything.

I've learned a secret in the desert sun after many hours on knees pulling and digging sticky spiky green. Soak the ground first, with water. They absorb the water, their roots relax. Give a simple tug and out they plop, roots and all.

We're looking for weeds in our lives today. Digging into God's Word to soften them up, pouring living water. Pull them up roots and all. I've tried the lawnmower approach, in my yard and in my life. It simply doesn't work. You can cut off the top of the weed, the behavior or bad actions, but it grows right back. The key is the root, soaking it.

"Above all else, guard your heart for it is the wellspring of life." Proverbs 4:23

Think of your heart as a garden. We cultivate what we want to grow. Above all things, guard your heart, your mind, your emotions, your will. These are what life comes from, the you.

All the seeds, promises, blessings God has planted deep. Don't let just anything stomp through trampling the precious seedlings as they blossom and grow. When a weed pops through the soil, go after it. No matter how small it may seem, it can grow quickly and overtake the goodness growing near.

In my life, I am learning to guard against weeds. One deadly spiky, nasty thing, pride remains on my hit list. It's the type of weed you need to get the gloves on to uproot as it leaves spikes and itchy bumps, fighting to remain in its place.

"God opposes the proud but gives grace the humble." James 4:6

Honestly, I need Abba's grace. I don't even want to think of life with my God opposing me.

We have a weed killer, a sure fire way to extinguish any spores of pride lurking in the garden of our lives. Humility, being willing to be know for who we are. no more. no less. Walking in humility produces a bountiful harvest.

"For by the grace given me I say to every one of you; Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgement, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you." Romans 12:3

To combat pride which hinders God from doing all He desires in our lives, we learn to walk in humility. We can learn the steps as we follow in His footsteps.

Step by step as we

serve others (phil 2:5-7 & mark 10:45)

be broken (psalm 34:18)

encourage others (eph 4:29)

speak the truth in love

lay down our rights

prefer our brother (phil 2:3-4)

seek justice and defend the weak (proverbs 31:8-9)

admit our weaknesses (1 john 1:8)

react in the opposite spirit (prov 15:1)

see ourselves through others (prov 13:10)

we walk along the humble path.

Will you take a step with me today? One step and with each step we are transformed more into His likeness. We reflect him more clearly. We dig up weeds.

If you would like the complete list (with references) of simple ways to cultivate humility, simply leave a note in the comments with your email (if it's not attached to your blogger profile) and I will send it to you. I'm speaking this week, so slip on your comfy shoes and join me, as each day I will be posting little snipits as we walk together.