The Root Of the Problem
I stood looking at the result of my procrastination. Weeds and grass filled the stone border – the one that wound it’s way around the entire perimeter of our house. The previous spring, as a gentle breeze swirled around me, I had spent hours pulling out every bit of green that poked up through the rocks. It was back-breaking work, but I felt a sense of satisfaction when I looked at the neat stone border.
Then came summer, with it’s triple digit temperatures and uncharacteristically abundant rainfall. I looked out my windows and watched in amazement, and a little bit of horror, as the grass once again took over the border. I turned away and decided to wait until the weather moderated before tackling the monumental task.
A few days ago I grabbed my gardening gloves, shovel and kneeling pad and bent into the work. It wasn’t any easier this time around. Some of the weeds came up with just a gentle tug, but the others clung fast to the earth and black plastic we had put down in a vain attempt to keep them out in the first place. Three hours later I looked with satisfaction at the completed section and dismay at the work yet to be done. The worst of it was, I knew it was only a matter of time before they would all be back again. Because, you see, as hard as I pulled, much of the root system simply didn’t budge. It remained hidden underground waiting for sunshine and rain.
As I pulled and dug underneath the rocks I thought about the nature of our hearts. There isn’t one of us who doesn’t have things needing to be uprooted. Perhaps a bit of selfishness or envy or pride. There might be a problem with anger or an addiction. And there they are – in plain view for everyone to see.
So we make a decision to change, and we work hard at it. We may even succeed for a time, but inevitably we see the evidence that they are still alive and well. They’re hidden just beneath the surface waiting for the first provocation or problem or perceived injustice to jettison them back into life. Discouraged, we call ourselves failures and either determine to try harder or give it up as a lost cause.
The truth is, we need help. The good news is, there is help available. We have a God who invites us to come to Him with all of those seemingly impossible things and give them to Him. He promises to be strong where we are weak and to help us in our struggles. He assures us we are already conquerers. That doesn’t mean we don’t have to do our part or that we won’t have times when the “weeds” seem to be winning. But we can be assured He is doing a good work deep inside our hearts, and that He will complete it.
“But in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us.” Romans 8:37
“Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold new things have come.” II Corinthians 5:17
“And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue His work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus finally returns.” Philippians 1:6
Blessings,
Linda
I love this… I miss you!
Beautiful reminder that He is our strength when we are weak.
Beautiful post.
Annette