Submitted by Lara Cook
And the one on whom seed was sown among the thorns, this is the man who hears the word, and the worry of the world and the deceitfulness of wealth choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful. Matthew 13:22
Some say the grass is always greener on the other side, and others say the grass is greener where you water it. I fall into the group that believes the second statement, the grass is greener where you water it. But recently I have come to understand that you can water a garden and water your grass, but you still must diligently pull the weeds and eliminate the stickers, or your beautiful green grass will still be ruined. Stickers don’t like water. They thrive in the dry, parched grass, but they will grow in green, watered grass as well. So, watering is a start, but you still need to pull the weeds as soon as they start growing or you will have a beautiful green sticker patch.
Much like stickers and weeds in the green grass in our yard, stickers can also grow in our relationship with Christ and others such as a spouse. Sometimes we get comfortable putting the minimum amount of effort into the most important areas of our lives. We pour a little into it with one hand while we are distracted and doing something else with the other. If we are not diligent and attentive, the weeds can grow and the stickers will come. The weeds will choke out and overcome the good, green grass and keep it from maturing. The stickers will stick you every time you reach down to try and get them out. And you must be careful to get rid of the whole “plant”. I am notorious for pulling the weeds from my flowerbed and tossing them into the grass. I am not eliminating the problem, just spreading it!
We must be intentional in our relationship with Christ and others. We need to be diligent and nurture them. Don’t let Satan distract you. It takes more than just doing the “right thing” to nurture and grow your relationship to God. Just pouring a little water on the grass is not enough. Be attentive and watch for the weeds to grow and pull them immediately.
Scripture to Claim:
Jesus presented another parable to them, saying, "The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a man who sowed good seed in his field. But while his men were sleeping, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat, and went away.”
