Wheat and Weeds

24 He put before them another parable: "The kingdom of heaven may be compared to someone who sowed good seed in his field; 25 but while everybody was asleep, an enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat, and then went away. 26 So when the plants came up and bore grain, then the weeds appeared as well. (Matthew 13:24-26)

When we read Jesus' parable we tend to think of ourselves as the wheat, and others - anyone else - as the weeds. Near the end of the story, the servants ask if they should pull the weeds, and they are told to let the weeds and the wheat grow together rather than risk mistaking one for the other. And just as Jesus conveyed that we can't determine which people are weeds and which people are wheat, we also struggle to recognize the weeds that grow within ourselves. The grace shown in Jesus' story isn't only shown for the sake of those who don't yet know him - it's also for those of us who claim the gift of God planted in our hearts, yet we still choose to go our own way.

God knows all of the enemies - like pride and insecurity, selfishness and self-sufficiency - that plant weeds in us where wheat should be. As we let go of the arrogance of "us verses them", humility makes room in our hearts for God to cultivate us as good seeds God intends to grow.

11 Teach me your way, O LORD, that I may walk in your truth; give me an undivided heart to revere your name. 12 I give thanks to you, O Lord my God, with my whole heart, and I will glorify your name forever. 13 For great is your steadfast love toward me; you have delivered my soul from the depths of Sheol. (Psalm 86:11-13)