pulling the weeds
Single 5 1/4 x 5 1/4 square vision art card, printed on fine art paper. Watercolor graphic art design. With envelope.
Artist Interpretation -
As innocent as the vision of the Lord pulling the weed out of the ground by its roots appeared to be, it was oddly uncomfortable to look at. I knew deep in my spirit what His two-fold message was - both a reality check of where we are currently, as well as a picture of God’s desire for us to be free of the “weeds” that are growing, choking out the fullness of all He has for us. Our spiritual lives are strikingly similar to that of the physical yards we maintain, as we often take the easier option of trimming the “weeds” to keep things looking good from the outside. It’s certainly more convenient. But it’s absolutely more temporary. What we’re witnessing in the world today is a picture of a garden that’s being choked out by weeds that were left to grow deep roots. And the price we’re paying is a hefty one. Through a watered-down Gospel to soothe the conscience and a refusal to take a bold stand on the truth of Scripture, we’ve allowed weeds to take over. Because it’s a hard, painful at times kind of job, it’s a job that most choose not to give their time to. As a result, we’ve become a nation that “trims the weeds” instead of addressing the root problem, beautifying the outside while ignoring what’s taking root. From the top of our government down to the pulpits in our churches, weeds have been growing at an astounding pace. Surface fixes work temporarily in the flesh, but what gets left unattended will eventually take over. It’s been a hard season for so many, and while pulling the weeds may seem an impossible task, the deep up-rooting is a necessary process that gives room for God’s garden to grow in our lives. And so, in the midst of our inaction, the Lord has stepped in and is doing the job that many haven’t been willing to do. A process that may feel harsh, but is in actuality the work of a gracious, loving God, doing that which has long since needed to be done. Now is the time that the Lord is inviting us to get on our knees and start digging up the weeds in our own lives, exposing the lies of Satan and making room for what God is growing. Together, with the Lord, restoring His garden and changing a nation.
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"He answered, 'The one who sows the good seed is the Son of Man. The field is the world, and the good seed is the sons of the kingdom. The weeds are the sons of the evil one, and the enemy who sowed them is the devil.'" - Matthew 13:37