Living in the Spirit

July 23, 2023

Scripture Reading:

Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43

He put before them another parable: ‘The kingdom of heaven may be compared to someone who sowed good seed in his field; but while everybody was asleep, an enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat, and then went away. So when the plants came up and bore grain, then the weeds appeared as well. And the slaves of the householder came and said to him, “Master, did you not sow good seed in your field? Where, then, did these weeds come from?” He answered, “An enemy has done this.” The slaves said to him, “Then do you want us to go and gather them?” But he replied, “No; for in gathering the weeds you would uproot the wheat along with them. Let both of them grow together until the harvest; and at harvest time I will tell the reapers, Collect the weeds first and bind them in bundles to be burned, but gather the wheat into my barn.”’ –Matthew 13:24-30

Driving through the southern USA a few years ago, I was devastated when I saw fields that looked like a fire had left them barren, but unlike a fire, there were no new plants springing up. That was my first experience with the weed Kudzu. Kudzu is a climbing, semi-woody, perennial vine in the pea family that kills other plants by smothering them under a blanket of leaves and by breaking branches or uprooting entire trees and shrubs through the sheer force of its weight. Kudzu is edible. When does weed become a source of nutrition?

Growing up on a farm, I learned early to appreciate vegetables and fruits straight from the garden. We also carefully identified and picked the edible “weeds” that grew wild across our pastures. I loved Lamb’s Quarter.

I guess I am trying to say that one of the reasons we do not kill what we identify as “weeds” in our lives is that they may not be weeds at all. If treated and understood properly, they could be great sources of nutrition.  God created the earth, and all that is on it. God is the one who can discern weeds from the sources of food for our lives.

Prayer: Amen.

All scriptures are quoted from the New Revised Standard Version Bible: Anglicized Edition, copyright 1989, 1995, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights are reserved.