As a young one growing up in the High Desert, "weeding" was a common house chore. Now let me clarify, "weeding" means to use different types of gardening tools (i.e. hula hoes, rakes, etc.) to get rid of the tumbleweeds and stickerbushes (yes, those things that you see in Western movies or Looney Tunes episodes)throughout the front and back yard of the house. I never liked this chore...partly because I was out in the hot sun and not playing sports...and partly because it just didn't make any sense to me. The action used to get the tumbleweed out of the ground only got what was on the surface of the dirt, rather than cutting all the way down and pulling out the root - the underlying problem. So, later in a week, even though I had done my duty of taking care of the weeds, there would be weeds growing again...in the same spot, from the same root. GRRR! Why couldn't we just dig out the root each time...I mean, yes, that would require more work and more time, but it would get at the problem of destroying that particular weed.
I think about my Desert days, and feel like I am in this situation all over again...with the "weeds" in my own life. There have been certain issues coming up in my own life that I seem to only be tackling at the surface, and not the underlying root cause. I think I have taken care of my "duty" by moving through that issue, praying about it some....but then days, weeks, months, and years later, it comes up again and I am frustrated that I did not choose to dig out the root instead. I would rather "go play" -> move on with life, rather than take more effort, work, and time to truly invest in removing the root. I, with my own natural tendencies, do not want to take longer and put in more effort...but because of the way that God has moved in my life, He has encouraged me that there is something better to invest in by putting in more time, effort, and work...and God is with me every step of the way. God assures me that He will work as hard as me (and then some), He will put in all the effort (and more), and He will be with me for however much time it will take (and through eternity) to take that tumbleweed that is hurting me so much, dig it out to the root, and toss it as far as it will to go so that my "land" will produce better things (maybe even milk and honey....<--biblical reference). :)
So I'm inviting God into my life to help me with this tumbleweed (even though He's really been there all along and has revealed to me my dependence I need in Him to remove it)...and to really be present to remove it...pray about it...and to bring healing to this area. The Lord promises good things for His people, who chose to follow Him and trust Him. I look forward to the root-removing (to replace the weeding) in my life that I have needed for some time. Please continue to pray with me through this. Thanks! :)
