It’s my annual battle with the weeds of South Carolina that live on a precious old fence in our yard. Weeds is a misnomer. They are invasive aggressors that strangle, kill and destroy. Every spring I tackle the vines and try new approaches. Each year I’ve cut the fence a bit freer; I’ve used weed barrier and mulch. Each year, the vines thrive. Now, truth is, they are pretty, and they do give shade. The work hasn’t been wasted…the blueberry bushes and old rose bush have also thrived. But the vines are destructive; they need to go.
Every year, it strikes me how the vines are like sin in our lives. The vines do look good when they are kept under control. But the work of keeping them under control gets harder and harder. The battle is never-ending. The big roots grow stronger–thicker, hairier and uglier. The young vines wind around everything! Sin is the same. It can’t be managed; it must be given to Jesus Christ. It is the only thing we really can give Him…He died for it. He wants to destroy it. He is able.
The annual battle against the vines always makes me think of what it must have been like to settle the Carolinas. But it also makes me think of the battle against sin. The leafy greens hide twining young roots–and hairy giant roots that latch onto structures. The roots force their way around structures and tear it apart. Isn’t that like sin? It can look good on the outside. But it covers a massive mess of destruction. It won’t go away just by changing behaviors & cutting out the symptoms. The roots just go stronger and go deeper.The tangled roots are nasty…and hard to remove. Sometimes they even strangle other vines or even kill healthy, productive plants/trees. Sin that roots deeply in us becomes a playground for unholy spirits that make things even worse. Exposing the roots is a step toward healing.It’s been about 5 years I’ve fought these vines–and fought to keep the fence they were attached to. I love history; I loved the old picket fence. But the weeds did too much damage. Sometimes we feel the same about sin…we’re afraid to let God have His way for fear of what it will cost us…what we will have to lose. But not removing it, is a losing battle!Clean up is as much work as destroying the weeds! We need others to help us. Thankful for the patient help of this guy! He’s been advocating for ripping out the fence for years…but let me decide when I was ready. That’s an approach that works in spiritual matters too.There is some fun in the hard work of conquering the invasive weeds. Got Riesa into the project with a bit of a bribe…but she did great! We have to pass on the spiritual fight to the next generation too. God doesn’t have Grandkids! We all have to learn to fight those spiritual battles.
We all have weeds in our lives. Jesus came to destroy the work of the enemy who sowed the seeds that became sin that needs to be fought against. This website has a wealth of tools for spiritual warfare. Browse about. Send a note if you can’t find what you are looking for. Victory is ours as children of the King.
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