Someone kindly noted on Saturday that despite the
preponderance of weeds in my flower beds, there are pockets of vibrant colour.
Yes, I thought later, but actually, even the weeds flower.
The definition of a weed is a flower growing where you don’t
want it. I think some weeds, though, are plants which are pernicious no matter
where they grow. I was going to write that sins are like weeds of the latter
variety, which they are, but I think there are other things we might not think
of as sins which are just as pernicious because they undermine the beauty of
our faith.
Fear and anxiety are in that category. God tells us hundreds
of times in the Bible (366 times to be precise) not to be afraid. It seems to
be our default response in many situations and the problem with being afraid is
that it undermines our faith in the God of the impossible. Focusing on the
problem instead of on the answer magnifies the problem and shrinks the faith we
have in the Answer.
I’m still mulling over my experience at the Great Barrier
Reef, and this morning I’ve been thinking about how completely God answered my
prayer on the boat trip out to the reef, my prayer that I would not just manage
to snorkel ok but that I would actually love the experience and the opportunity
to enjoy one of his breathtaking beauty spots.
My circumstances are different but I am changing tack on my
prayers to reflect that experience. I am now praying that God will enable me to
face whatever is coming with regards to a family situation not just with stoic
determination and stiff resolve but with a divine perspective, so that I can
appreciate the full vista of what is happening in relation to life itself and
rejoice to see God’s hand in everything, big and small.
With God’s help I am going to wheak out that pernicious weed
of fear and replace it with a beautiful dollop of faith, gratefully received
from my gracious Master.
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