Day Fifteen- Pulling Out the Weeds to Beautify Our Community and Our Lives

“Let both grow together until the harvest. At that time I will tell the harvesters: First collect the weeds and tie them in bundles to be burned; then gather the wheat and bring it into my barn.’”- Matthew 13:30
As I prepared to participate in our first church sponsored service event to beautify our community, I started out pulling on Main Street. Some weeds were easier to pull. But some, rooted more deeply in between the cracks in the sidewalk, wee more difficult to get rid of. As I looked down the street and saw how much I had left to do, I began to get discouraged. An hour had already gone by and I was only a quarter of the way through! What helped was that I had other people from my church also working so I wasn’t alone in my endeavor. In fact, conversations with friends from church made an otherwise tedious task bearable!
 
As I drove away reflecting on our hard work and a job well done, I thought about what it is like in my spiritual life as well. When I think about all the issues and sinful behaviors I have to change to develop the Christlike character Jesus wants from me, I get discouraged because I have a long way to go.  Without other brothers and sisters in Christ supporting me in my walk and walking alongside of me in my journey, I’d probably quit before I ever got anywhere. Changing patterns and behaviors is difficult without the accountability and loving correction of other people who are trying to pull the weeds out of their lives, too.
 
I wish everyone saw the church this way: a place to go with arms lovingly waiting to embrace you, support you, correct you and keep you on the path of righteousness, even if they have to pull a few weeds in the process.
 
Who do you have in your life to help you pull the weeds in your life?