My husband pulled this giant weed that was, believe it or not, hiding. It was tucked away behind my little pop-up greenhouse and a fence. Though we regularly mow and use a weed eater, we somehow missed this.
Metaphorically speaking, I think we all have these hidden weeds in our hearts. It’s so easy for me to look at my life and see the things that I outwardly struggle with. I know what to watch for. I know what to avoid. I know how to maintain these specific sins. But what I don’t always catch are the things that aren’t so outwardly present. While I’m over here working on my peace, patience, and love, thinking I’m doing pretty well with not sinning, out pops anger, waving its big, red, angry fist in my face. Or comparison, or wanting what someone else has, or a lack of contentment/joy, or __________________ (you fill in the blank).
I don’t know if you know this or not, but we ALL struggle. It’s not a you thing or a me thing; it’s a we thing. And it’s the exact reason why we need Jesus. It’s the exact reason why this big and beautiful redemption plan exists. Sure, we can be “good” on our own; but even on our best days, we still have huge weeds hiding behind the crevices of our lost dreams, failed attempts, heartaches, and disappointment.
Jesus said, “Come to Me, all of you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28). He didn’t say, “Get your life together, stop doing _____________, you’re a terrible person, stay away from Me.” He does the exact opposite. He invites us to Him, because weeding out the things that slowly kill us, by ourselves, is exhausting. It’s also unmanageable, and in my experience, the weeds just keep multiplying. But with Jesus, He transforms us from who we were to a new creation; to be more like Him (2 Corinthians 5:17).
Thank God for that! Why? Because I am who He says I am. I’m not what I feel like. I’m not who I used to be. Jesus and His redemption plan is the very reason why I can stand here today and proclaim the goodness of God. Because "... He said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.' 'Therefore, I will most gladly boast all the more about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may reside in me" (2 Corinthians 12:9). Amen to that, right? We all struggle. It's a fact of life. But we are who He says we are.
“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away, and look new things have come” (2 Corinthians 5:17).
Have a nice week, friends!
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