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Just because there are weeds around us even interfering with our growth does not mean that we aren't where the LORD has planted us.
He said in reply, "He who sows good seed is the Son of Man,
the field is the world, the good seed the children of the Kingdom.
The weeds are the children of the Evil One,
and the enemy who sows them is the Devil.
Even though other roots might make us feel choked, wordly obligations might seem to conflict and demand too much, and even if we ourselves are oppressed outright for our faith it doesn't mean that we're in the wrong place. We imagine and wish to believe that the field should be empty of weeds, empty, indeed of effort or struggle. But it is not meant to be so. Weeds are permitted because without resistance we do not grow strong.
For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison (see Second Corinthians 4:17).
For the Lord disciplines the one he loves,
and chastises every son whom he receives (see Hebrews 12:6)
Yet the point is not to battle the weeds. Indeed, we can't even identify them with certainty. The point is to put down roots that are deep enough and spread our leaves broadly enough toward the light that weeds cannot interfere with our growth.
How do we grow in spite of the resistance of weeds? Joshua seems to show the correct posture, immovable before the revelation of God.
Moses would then return to the camp,
but his young assistant, Joshua, son of Nun,
would not move out of the tent.
Everyone else would return to business as usual. But Joshua was so transfixed that he couldn't immediately leave the LORD's presence. He took moments extra to exult in who God was and the glory of his presence. He spent the extra time in the sun he needed for his growth.
Our life, however, is not meant to be one of immobility. We are called to follow where the LORD commands. Yet to do even this begins from learning to abide in his presence.
Then he said, "If I find favor with you, O LORD,
do come along in our company.
The LORD reveals to us where and how to grow. We need only delight and strain toward the light which is already shining.
For as the heavens are high above the earth,
so surpassing is his kindness toward those who fear him.
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