God Speaks Through Weeds and Vines

A couple years ago during an early spring warm spell, I set out to battle the “evil vine” (as I’ve been inclined to call it) that grows in my yard. I call it that because it has been in the yard since we moved here and I can’t get rid of it. Last year I noticed a second one trying to move in as well, so I thought I needed to get to work on them. As I was working, God started to reveal some things to me about connections between the plant world and the human world. One of the things God has taught me about weeds is this vine is much like sin. It looks very pretty, very enticing. Once it roots; however, it is extremely difficult to get rid of and even if you uproot it one place, it takes over in another. This weed will literally choke these plants so that they die. Notice too how it comes at the plant from the top….sin creeps first into our minds, then we decide to act or not act.

Weeds are often very lovely to look at. The two particular ones that are in my yard are vines. One flowers in the spring and the other in the fall. They both give off lovely looking flowers and sweet aromas; however, in the process of growing they begin to choke and take over the other plants. These weeds grow and multiply very quickly. I missed one year of trying to keep them at bay, and the vines had more than doubled in their number. Weeds are very adept at blending in with the good plants as well. Sometimes they seem to pounce on the areas of new growth and take hold of them before they are able to get fully established. Weeds also tend to blend well with other plants. In my flower garden, when plants first begin to break through the dirt, I often can’t tell the difference between the weeds and the flowers. It isn’t until a little time passes, that the true nature of the weeds is revealed.

Once weeds have been identified, getting rid of them is the next step. Sometimes weeds will come out quickly and easily, but more often they are difficult to get rid of. Endless pulling, cutting, and sometimes even pruning of the good plant is necessary in order to get rid of the weeds. Sometimes you can’t find where the weed begins unless some of the good plant is cut or pruned. One of the definitions for prune that I found apropos is “to reduce the extent of (something) by removing superfluous or unwanted parts.” When intentional pruning is done it causes a strengthening and can bring new growth. In certain circumstances, pruning, if not done correctly, can cause the good plant to wither and eventually die. Unfortunately sometimes when battling a weed, good plants get uprooted as well.

The timing of battling the weeds is also important. I have found with my weedy vines, that if I battle them in the colder temperatures, when they are fairly dormant and there are fewer plants around, that they are easier to find, and easier to get rid of. Once I find the main branch, I cut off the shoots and then apply weed killer right at the root. Because these vines are often so entrenched in my good plants, I have to ask my husband to help pull the vine out, but then also help to pick up all the vines and carry to the burn pile.

It occurred to me that there are Christian weeds in life as well. Sometimes Christians seem “pretty” on the outside and seem to blend in with the Christians around them, but are actually weeds in disguise. They will latch onto new Christians and begin to choke them out. Christian weeds will grow and multiply quickly and can overtake other Christians with their ideals and values. Often these ideals and values are contrary to the Bible. As Christians, we should be wary of others that encourage us in ways that go against Biblical teachings.

Just as in the plant world, Christian weeds cannot be kept, they must be gotten rid of. Sometimes pruning of these weeds may cause other “good” or true Christians to be pruned out as well, which is unfortunate. If this happens, all we can do is pray for wisdom for those who have left, whether it be the "weed" or the "good vine".

When pruning Christian weeds, sometimes help is needed to pick up the pieces and sort out the good from the bad. If we are unsure of our surroundings or whether or not those around us are weeds or good vine, we should seek out those we KNOW ARE good vines for advise. As Christians, we need the help of others to identify and remove the "weeds" in life.

One thing we can rely on from nature is that the act of pruning and getting rid of the weeds, can only serve to strengthen what is good and make room for new growth. Working with other Christians to identify and remove those weeds, whether they are sins or people, is an important step.