Tell the Tale

What a great yard man we have!  He does a fine job of keeping the grass mowed, weeds cut, bushes trimmed and plants watered.  Occasionally, he fertilizes things that need it.  Have you ever thought about how well we promote spiritual weeds – even fertilize them – rather than work to eradicate them?  What farmer takes pride in a hearty crop of weeds?  We're wise to ask ourselves this question: on a scale of 1-10, how does the pursuit of righteousness score?  Ah, the answer is very revealing!  In the parable of the sower, Jesus presented four scenarios where seeds fell: "... some seeds fell by the way side, and the fowls came and devoured them up ... some fell upon stony places, where they had not much earth and forthwith they sprung up, because they had no deepness of earth and when the sun was up, they were scorched; and because they had no root, they withered away ... some fell among thorns; and the thorns sprung up, and choked them ... other fell into good ground, and brought forth fruit ..." (Matthew 4-8).  While it is God Who brings forth spiritual harvest in the Believer's life, we must be diligent in personal disciplines - careful with the selection of spiritual nutrients!  The psalmist relates poor choices to personal shame: “May my heart be blameless in Your statutes, so that I will not be ashamed.” (Psalm 119:80).  These words certainly sound like one who chooses to grow righteousness rather than sinfulness.  Not always easy, but such simple decisions change who we are and can alter circumstances and outcomes.  Are your personal choices growing righteousness or fertilizing weeds?  The harvest will always tell the tale!