I’m a lawn freak. Not only do I like the lawn looking good, but even more important to me is the time outside. You see, because I’m also a sermon junkie (I get the shakes if I go more than a few hours without hearing some of my favorite preacher’s takes on whatever I happen to be studying) I’m able to strap on the old ipod (and I mean ‘old’ here. I’m still using a five year old ipod—In today’s technical world, I might as well admit to using a rotary phone.) and listen while I work. It’s not whistling while I work, but it’s close.
Recently it was “weed and feed†time for the yard. This strikes me as a bit (warning, new word coming) ‘Oxymoranish.’ I mean, are we fertilizing the grass for growth or attacking the weeds to kill.
Can’t have it both ways you know.
Actually, you can. Doesn’t the art of scientific advancement in landscape maintenance fascinate you?!
Well it does me and I don’t want you to rain on my allusions to agriculture—If you have some horticultural horror stories please keep them to your self.
Now where was I?
Oh yeah, the infamous “weed and feed.†Just a quick word about this and I’m off to sermon finalization…
I actually put this stuff down about a month ago. Even though it was a very mild summer (sorry, Al) I did get a lot of pesky weed creep. So I needed something that would give me one last shot of greening up the lawn and killing the intruders too.
Ala “Weed and Feed.â€
The Christian life takes faith and work. One without the other is dead.
So, on the one hand, we need to cultivate spiritual growth by going on the offensive against growth killers.
Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, Philippians 2:12
On the otherhand, we need to practice (from the heart—not as robotic habit) the things that help us grow into healthy, mature followers of Jesus Christ.
But for those of you who aren’t as in to spiritual care as you should be, I’ll boil it down to the basics. The whole spiritual lawn care plan can be found in this one verse,
Therefore, dear brothers and sisters,[a] you have no obligation to do what your sinful nature urges you to do. 13 For if you live by its dictates, you will die. But if through the power of the Spirit you put to death the deeds of your sinful nature,[b] you will live. 14 For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children[c] of God. Romans 8:12–14
Actually, I can boil it down even more.
For Growth:
- Spend time in God’s Word (the Bible) every day
- Pray all throughout the day (talk to God)
- Join with other believers as much as possible (Sundays are a no-brainer, but how about a lifegroup?).
- Give generously (yes, I’m talking about the “T†word)
Pretty simple really.
And for disease prevention:
- Weed out the sin in your life.
- Find others who can help you with accountability
- Replace weeds (sinful habits) with godly ones (see above list).
I realize this is simplistic, but think of how unstoppable the church would be if all of us just started with the basics?