Weeds in the Garden of my Heart

As Spring begins to welcome us with longer days and warmer afternoons, the weeds in my front yard also sense the coming of the season and don't want to miss the excitement in the air as they poke their heads up threatening to take over my flower bed.  I decide that some of these giants; however, must be leftover from last season as I pull some treacherous thorny and intimidating monsters from the dirt.

I commonly refer to weed pulling as my "garden therapy," yet on this day...Good Friday....the day my Jesus hung on the cross....I pull weeds and consider a stark reality as I eagerly anticipate celebrating "Resurrection Day" on Sunday.  A gardener knows it is vital to prepare the soil by removing the weeds that will choke and destroy the plants if we want them to thrive.  Do we as Christians prepare our hearts to worship a resurrected Savior or do we get so caught up with baskets and bunnies, buying new outfits for the kids and coloring eggs, that we really do not stop and pause and reflect on what Jesus REALLY did for us on the cross?  Oh don't misunderstand my heart as I too enjoy making cookies and hiding eggs with my children, and I certainly make sure they know the real reason we celebrate this season.  However, do we really prepare to hear from Christ and to worship Him by examining the weeds in our own hearts?  I do not want any unrighteousness to keep me from hearing from God as I worship Him!

Isaiah 59:2  (NKJV)
But your iniquities have separated you from your God;
And your sins have hidden His face from you,
So that He will not hear.

You see I pull small weeds in my flower bed that don't seem to have deep roots yet, but then I also pull huge weeds with significant roots that require me to get thick gloves to complete the task.  All the while, I notice that some of the weeds get uglier and thornier as they grow larger and in spite of my efforts to protect myself from harm, I still end up with bloody scratches caused by some of these offenders and exhausted by days end.

Isn't this true in our own life too?  Sin may seem small at first as a little white lie is justified, innocent flirting seems to go unnoticed or office gossip is succumbed to, but then just as the Enemy always does if we are not on guard, he convinces us that the small weed is not a big deal...it will not take over our life.....it will not leave us bloody and scarred.  Oh what a lie that is dear Friend as sin's roots grow deep!

John 10:10  (NKJV)

The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.

 

The Enemy does not have your best interest in mind, but Jesus DOES and he proved that when He hung on that cross bloody and bruised for OUR sins, so that we might have eternal life in Him!
You see as we prepare to worship our Risen Savior and celebrate the victory of the cross and what it represents, we must prepare our hearts so that we do not miss hearing from Him.  Let's make sure we repent of any unconfessed sin so that our lives and hearts will be "refreshed" with His presence and that we may realize that the same power that gave Christ victory over the grave is also ours as His children!  WOW!

Acts 3:19 (NKJV)

Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord
 

Dear Jesus, thank you for taking my place on the cross and suffering for my sins so that I may spend eternity with you in Heaven!   I am so unworthy of this ultimate act of love and unselfishness yet your grace and sacrifice sets me free!  Thank you Father.  I celebrate You and do my best to examine my heart in preparation to worship You!"
 
 

 

 

"Jesus Loves the Little Children"

I was intently listening to the beautiful voice of my sweet friend who was singing like an angel as usual in our worship service that morning; lost in my own moment of rejoicing.  Then out of the corner of my eye I saw a small figure moving toward the front of the church, and I realized it was a young boy just 7 years who felt compelled to come forward and pray during the song.  Sitting on the third row I could easily see the emotion on this little boy's face as he fell to his knees visibly moved by the song, but more so I believe by the Holy Spirit moving in him.  Somehow I felt like I was at that moment, privy to a glimpse into the heart of Jesus.  You see this little boy we have grown to love dearly also has Down's syndrome, and I can recall praying over him with several other brothers and sisters in Christ when he was just a new baby asking God to use him in a mighty way.

Often I must admit over the years I've had such compassion and concern for this child who the world may view as weaker due to the health challenges he struggles with daily, but in this blessed moment he seemed to me to be the strongest person in the room as he reached for a tissue by the stairs before he stood up once again.  His face was red and stained with tears, but he looked up toward the ceiling of the church as if he was looking right into Heaven, and he simply smiled toward the ceiling before returning to his seat.   

I am reminded of the words of Jesus Himself when he said, "Whoever then humbles himself as this child, he is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven."  Matthew 18:4

Somewhere along the way toward adulthood, we begin to believe that we can rely on our own abilities, talents, education, or influence to enable us to be successful...to be considered great.  When I think of a child, and especially an infant, I think of a helpless little person whose needs are entirely dependent on the person who cares for him.  Oh how true this is with our Creator! 

"Father, let me remember that you are the only one in whom I can trust for all of my needs, and yet you are more than sufficient!  May I be like a little child totally dependent on you for all things even when my circumstances may not make sense to me.  I choose to trust you in all things!  In Jesus name...Amen."