And the weeds, they come in tandem with the chosen. The wheat and the tare story from the Word comes to my mind. “Not in my garden”, I think to myself. Weeds are pulled up by the root and tossed into a black bag.
Removing the root, that which entangles the chosen, and keeps them from living to full potential.
I think that I too may have roots that entangle and choke precious life from my veins. Roots whose fruit is sadness, and whose seeds are ruminating over past struggles. Their descriptions are – could have, would have, should have, a planting of guilt for the next generation to grow in.
The Lord has created me as an oak a planting for the display of His splendor. The oak was created to comfort others and produce seeds that give life to the next generation of mighty oaks.
But, when these seeds grow into vines, then vines can grow into tethers. Tethers can begin to distort what this oak was created to do, or be. Instead of growing in strength, straight up, it begins to lean with the pull of the tether and will eventually fall and die.
No! This Lenten, an ax to the root of old vines! Small weeds are yanked up by the root. No tolerance for this in my life. We are created for good works.
And yet, I know that in myself there is no hope of complete victory. My hope is in the One and Only who has held me in his hand and had his eye upon me from long ago.
None of this is a secret to him. Nothing has come up out of the darkness as weeds, hidden in the darkness, that He never knew were there.
The revelation is mine.
The fasting, it breaks the flesh from the spirit, revealing the heart of a child.
As He did in the garden long ago, He calls to me asking, “Where are you?” Not that He doesn’t know, but because I do not know.
I return the call, “Here I am, Lord, help.”
With His gentle right arm, He draws me near and whispers, “ you are mine, I love you, you are redeemed.”
“And they will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the Lord for the display of His splendor.” Isaiah 61:3
Linking with Walk with Him Wednesday, God Bumps &God Incidences, Pause on the Path, Word Filled Wednesday, Thought Provoking Thursday .
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Dis you write this today? I loved the imagery and the fact that it connected the words of your post. I believe you can look at a picture or painting and it will reveal a message that the artist wants to portray or sometimes doesn’t realize he/she portays.
The message of roots that have binded you and left deep scars that caused the tree to grow awry was evident to me. The seeds that you are planting now and cultivate for that matter, are sowed to teach, nurture and bring new life to you and to others such as was shown. It has your own voice or stamp. I could not have said it better and the photos– they are like life springing off your blog, inspiring others, perhaps more far reaching than you could know. But God knows and is pleased. I was touched and want to share it with others. I’d like to do that if you could give me a pointer.
Wow Gin, thank you so much of your gift of affirmation. You always give so much of yourself to other. You are a treasure. ~Di
Really liked this.
Thank you Denise!
A better magazine theme will make the blog looks nicer:)