Spring is on its way! It’s time for me to get out into my garden and make ready for the beauty that is to come! What about our souls? Are they properly prepared for what comes next?
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Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow. Let me hear joy and gladness; let the bones you have crushed rejoice.
Psalm 51:7-8 – NIV
I stare at the plain white bucket sitting at my feet, studying the mass of unwanted greens that spill over the rim. Weeds…where did they come from? These intruders came slinking into my garden when I wasn’t watching.
They showed up despite the wintry winds, braving the freezing temperatures just to claim their spot amongst my shrubs. While I was snuggled up by the fire, they were out there sneaking, creeping, claiming hold of new territory.
Just a few minutes ago, my bucket was empty, clean and white, bouncing along happily in my hand as i trotted out to the garden. Now, it is full to the brim, littered with the unruly green savages that threaten my flowers.
I reach down, clutch the intruder by its neck, and pluck it from the soil. I want to be rid of it, to toss it on the brush pile, to cleanse my garden of its unsightly mess.
I stare at the shiny white bucket, and think about my soul. What is filling my soul these days? Is my soul in need of cleansing? Are there weeds infiltrating the once sunny spots of beauty?
Are there weeds I need to pluck? Sinful choices? Selfish attitudes? Prideful thoughts? What thoughts do I need to hold captive and pluck by the roots so they don’t take hold and spread?
As Spring makes its debut, perhaps it’s a good time to examine the state of our hearts, even as we pluck the weeds from our gardens. Let’s cleanse the soil of our hearts, making ready for the seeds of growth God is sowing there.
May you and I rid ourselves of the weeds in both our gardens and our hearts. Grab your buckets and start plucking. Perhaps then it really will be a beautiful Spring.
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Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.
Psalm 51:10 – NIV
PRAYER
O God of Grace and Glory, the earth resounds with Your Glory. Golden rays of sunlight dance across the sky. The trees and flowers bring forth new life. Green returns to the landscape and birdsong fills the air. Spring is coming, just as You have come to us, to wash us clean and give us new life. O let us rejoice in Your Majesty, in Your Goodness, Your Grace. Let us prepare our hearts that we will be ready to serve and worship You in whatever comes next.
Faith Beyond Sight 