Wheat and Weeds

 Jesus moves on, according to Matthew (Matthew 13:23-43), from stories of God-the-Mad-Farmer who sows seed everywhere and refuses to weed the crops, to stories of choices that must be made, stories in which it is not God, but we who must choose between small seeds that can grow God-crops in His world, and the myriad of things the world in all its disarray and turbulence, wants us to choose instead.

The grain of mustard seed – the smallest of all the seeds, breaks through a weedy patch to become the largest of all the bushes and offer shelter to many birds. The tiniest amount of yeast can grow flour into bread enough to feed a town. The smallest pearl in its natural purity, stands out among fake gaudy baubles, and has far greater value than everything we own. A unexpected treasure, found in the field of our lives will require everything we have to mine, hone and protect.

Each of these parables require that we go all out to pursue. The price for the treasures of God is everything we have. Who are we to be purchasing pearls? To be selling the farm for some little thing you found in a field? To be wasting all our yeast to raise barrels of flour to make bread for strangers? Who would plant a mustard seed that results in an invasive plant of little value instead of fig trees or olive groves?

And none of these would get us any attention or plaudits for our decision; no, rather most would get us some rolled eyes, catcalls, and derisive remarks uttered. It takes courage to know and follow God’s will for us; breaking from the crowd whose numbers may provide safety and shelter, is risky. To be willing to say and do the right thing when the crowd exhorts us to follow…what we know in our heart just doesn’t feel right. Isn’t that the Spirit speaking to us…it just doesn’t feel right? It’s a quiet thing in the midst of the chaos and noise.                                                                

Jesus reminds us that what’s precious is likely to be judged as junk by most folks, and likely to require a lot from you and me. All the stories say – Make yourself available to God

 

It’s the cutting edge of making choices,
splitting what you choose from what you don’t choose.
And making your choices will set you apart
from others, even friends and family.

 This is the work of becoming your own self.
When your choices upset those around you
it may be because you’re being foolish.
But it may be because you’re making your choices
instead of letting them. It will be like this.
Abandon that owned self, and find your own self.

Listen deeply to God.
Let God alone lead you.
Make yourself available to God
as an instrument of righteousness,
and know that even as you let go of your life
you receive life.
-Steve Garnaas-Holmes