I now know why the Midwest is called America's Breadbasket. Wow, can things grow here and fast! In particular, I have found that this area is perfect for growing dandelions. I have been amazed at their resilience and ability to grow. No matter how I have attacked them, they still return to full growth within 2 days. I've tried mowing them, weed-eating them, and even using them to practice my golf swing, all to no avail. It appears as though I will have to breakdown and invest in chemicals to rid the yard of them.
As I mowed the yard this week, the Lord began to speak to me about the dandelions that we all have in our lives. These are the strongholds that we've allowed the enemy to plant inside of us. They start out much like the dandelions do in a yard - attractive and pleasing to the eye. We are hesitant to remove them because in a way they bring joy. There is something inside us that resists removing them. Much like the dandelion, they can grow and morph into something else. Still, they are relatively attractive and to an extent now fun to play with. However, as we give into the desire to interact with the dandelions in our lives, they often blow apart and create a larger problem.
What we don't see in their growth process is that dandelions put down deep roots and won't be easily removed. And once established they multiply quickly. The dandelions in our lives are the footholds that we allow the enemy to set up in our hearts in order to distract us from God. Ephesians 4:27 warns us not to give the devil any foothold. These are the things that we attempt to derive pleasure from rather than seeking pleasure through our intimacy with the Lord. In and of themselves, they aren't necessarily bad things. But if we allow them to hinder our plans and cause us to lose honor, time, money and relationships, then that's where the problem lies. If we allow them to continue to exist, they will eventually choke out the good growth in our lives.
So, how do we combat the dandelions in our lives. We need to attack the problem. James 4:7 Resist the devil and he will flee from you. We have to go on the offensive. It will take re-examining our lives. Where do you spend your time? Matthew 6 tells us that where your treasure is there will your heart be, also. It will take "sacrificing" some of the temporal joys in our lives. Some tough weeding will need to be done. It will require investment of time in prayer and in the Word. However, just picking up the bag of weed and feed at Home Depot won't fix the problem. You must take ownership and apply it before it will have an effect on the dandelions.
What's your yard look like? Is it time to go kill some weeds?
~Jeff
1 comment:
I could relate to this after mowing part of your yard last month, and then you weed wacking the dandelion seedheads that had been "resurected" the very next day! And the problem with the "dandelions" spreading, is that they not only spread in our lives, but the "seedheads" can spread and infect the lives of others as well.
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