As I delicately dig holes to place the seeds or plants in for our fall garden. I begin to pray over them to bring a harvest for our family. After planting, I feed and water each plant. Rain has graced us and done my watering for me. A couple of weeks pass and I begin to see shoots brimming the soil. Excitement bubbles out of me as I count the seedlings until I realize I just grew weeds. My plants haven’t peeked through the soil but the pesky weeds have.
Our hearts are the same way, each time I weed the garden I start taking an assessment of my heart. Am I holding onto anything that I need to let go of? Have I forgiven those who have offended me? Am I being selfish? Jealous? Prideful? I go through each thing mulling them over and asking God if I need to release something to him. The great thing is weeds grow, so I get to do this a lot. God is patient with me as I work through things.
We are directed in Hebrews 12:15 to get rid of bitterness so that it doesn’t cause trouble.
In Matthew 6:14-15, we are instructed to forgive because Jesus forgives us and we do NOT deserve what he did for us.
These instructions from the Bible are reminders that we aren’t supposed to allow bitterness and unforgiveness to take root in our hearts. These weeds need to be replaced with the fruits of the spirit. In Galatians 5:22-23, Paul tells us the fruits of the Holy Spirit that we should be allowing into our hearts.
Today as you weed your heart of bitterness, resentment, malice, and unforgiveness, make sure that you are planting seeds of love, joy, peace, kindness, goodness, and self-control. Just think of the possibilities for what those seeds you are planting will grow into!
Heavenly Father, thank You for Your Word and teachings. May You pluck the weeds out of my heart so that the fruits of the Spirit can be planted and grow beyond measure to spread Your goodness and love into the world. Thank You, Father. In Jesus’ name, I pray Amen.
I love how you reminded us to not only do the weeding, but fill the void with good fruit of The Spirit!