June 4, 2020
“Withered?”
“For, ‘All people are like grass, and all their glory is like the flowers of the field; the grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of the Lord endures forever.’” 1 Peter 1:24-25
I do not like to cut grass. There is a long history behind that dislike. Now just because I do not like to cut grass doesn’t mean I have never cut grass. Grass is funny. The more you cut it the more it will grow.
Have you ever paid attention to grass clippings? I was cutting grass long ago at Dad’s lake house and I began to notice the grass clippings. As I was cutting the wind was blowing a little and the grass clippings were falling all around me. When I finished I noticed that the green grass clippings were gathered in a neat row all through the yard. I also noticed that the black deck of the lawnmower was covered in these green clippings.
When I finished cutting the grass I got the weed trimmer and began trimming in places the lawnmower couldn’t reach. After a little while I finished and went to put up the trimmer. I noticed that the beautiful green clippings that landed on the lawnmower deck were not turning brown. I also noticed that the sun was shining bright in the yard and that those neat clippings in a row were now turning gray and dingy.
The change in the grass clippings got me to thinking about our faith. Sometimes our faith is green and growing. We are absorbing all of God’s word through songs, spoken words, Bible studies and listening to sermons. We are vibrant.
Then trouble or turmoil comes along. All of a sudden we hear of a rumor about someone whose book we read. How about the people at the church we attend did something that we don’t condone. Or what about the fact I was hurt because I wasn’t asked to participate in the recent Bible study. We find ourselves being “cut to the quick” with circumstances that either we controlled or had no control at all. We get frustrated. We get side tracked.
Let me warn you that if you put your faith in anyone or anything other than Jesus you are going to turn brown. The grass of faith is going to be cut away from you and you will be discouraged. People get fed up with religion, church, and Christian organizations because they have placed their faith in something that is perishable.
Remember the words of Peter, “For, ‘All people are like grass, and all their glory is like the flowers of the field; the grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of the Lord endures forever.’” Do not allow your faith to be placed anywhere but in Jesus and God’s word. The clippings of life will fade away, but you can always remain steadfast if your faith is in the Lord and His word. Don’t allow people or circumstances to stop you from being bright green all of the time. Grow your faith in Jesus and never fade away.
Dear Jesus, thank you for being that constant in our lives that never change. Thank you for being someone that we can depend on no matter what is happening in the world. Thank you for blessing our lives with the opportunity to grow and become more like you. In your Holy name I pray, Amen.