April Showers bring May flowers...and weeds!

Excerpts from sermon 51511.

For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven: a time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted...-Ecclesiastes 3:1&2  

Ah, springtime finally! I don’t know about you, but the sight and smell of spring brings about in me a physiological and spiritual sense of relief and newness as I witness the miracle of perennial rebirth. Every year I look forward to strolling along the hundreds of Cherry Blossoms that adorn Branch Brook Park. It is almost heavenly!

For many of us, spring is a time when we religiously dedicate ourselves to renovating and beautifying our homes and gardens, the exterior (visible) things that people see and that testify of our living habits. But what about the interior (invisible) things? I am referring to our mind, will and emotions, better known as our soul. Do we take time to “spring clean” that which God sees all year round and which also testifies of our living habits? In my opinion, these are more important than new furniture or landscaping rocks. They are the things that build and strengthen our relationship with others and God.

There is something else that catches my attention during spring. Along with that new life filled with color and aroma comes the “other” perennials, the dreaded and sometimes belligerent weeds.

A good gardener stays on top of his garden. Disregarding it for a period of time can be disastrous. He or she must keep vigilant and active against insects, rodents and of course weeds. Just as weeds can become a threat to the life of a natural garden, so do the weeds of unforgivingness, resentment, apathy, self pitty, jealously and pride, among others, can become a threat to our souls. If left unattended these can quickly spread, entangle and destroy a good character and even our faith.

When these weeds appear in our lives, we need to do as Gomer Pyle would say, “Nip it! Nip it in the bud” before they can destroy us!

Here are 3 quick tips to help us keep a well maintained spiritual garden.

1. Allow God to point out the weeds.
We must be sensitive to the reaction and constructive criticism of others, including family members, when we interact with them. God can use these to make us aware of weeds in our lives.

2. Quickly cut off or “nip” the weeds when they are identified.
We must be honest with ourselves. We shouldn’t allow stubbornness to become an obstacle/excuse for not dealing with issues that negatively affect our relationship with others and with God. If an issue is too difficult to deal with on our own we should seek professional and/or spiritual help.

3. Watch out for weed pollen. Don’t allow it to land and reproduce.
We must maintain an attitude of gratitude, humbleness and servant hood. These will help keep the weeds out of our hearts and allow God to work in and through us so that our lives can become a fragrant garden of praise unto Him.