Lent Day 26 - GOD’S ‘BUT’ IS FIRMLY PLANTED

When the storm has swept by, the wicked are gone, but the righteous stand firm forever . . . the righteous will never be uprooted. (Proverbs 10:25,30)

Today’s ‘but’ brings a challenge for us to stand firm, to stand tough, to stand our ground. During our impossible-seeming situations, I want to encourage us to be firm in our convictions and resilient against opposition. The roots of our faith need to grow down deeply to steady us in this testing time. When we are believing in God to do something that humanly feels impossible, it’s probable that many storm-like conditions will attempt to destabilise us.

With this in mind, I want to challenge us today to become like . . . wait for it . . . weeds. Yes, you read it right – God needs more weeds (makes for a great hashtag!). I know in Christian literature you’d normally be encouraged to become like a beautiful sunflower pointing heavenward. Nope, no time for the sunflower analogy here today. You may be thinking, but weeds are awful, you just can’t get rid of them. Well, that’s my point exactly. Weeds are hardy, they are stubborn, they’re defiant even.

Last year I had a real grass disaster. I think it’s fair to say I went a little OTT with the weed-killer on our back lawn (which shamefully was approx. 50 per cent weeds and 50 per cent grass). To my horror, I soon discovered that I had used the wrong kind of weedkiller – one you don’t use anywhere near grass. I literally killed off (the other) half of our lawn. A local gardener came to assess the situation. (He was recommended by a friend whose approval was largely based on the fact he had a slogan T-shirt that said, ‘I’m sexy and I mow it’ – a good enough endorsement for me.) He surveyed my dry and barren land and concluded in his strong Yorkshire accent: ‘Yep, you’ve defo gone pretty mental wit’ weed-killer, ‘aven’t you.’ However, with his advice I managed to grow my grass back and I’m now a proud lawn-again Christian.

In my defence, weeds are notoriously difficult to get rid of. If you’ve ever attempted to dig one of the blighters up, you’ll know how deep and chunky their roots can be. They ain’t going nowhere fast. If weeds could talk, I imagine they’d have a Phil Mitchell-style voice. If you could humour me and say, ‘Oi, Titchmarsh – come and have a go if you think you’re hard enough’ out loud in an aggressive cockney accent I’m sure you’ll see what I mean. (Make sure you aren’t in public for this exercise.)

I believe we need to develop this hardy, weed-like spirit as the inevitable challenges come towards us. If we truly believe that God has spoken, we need to be firmly planted in his promises. 1 Corinthians 15:58 says: ‘Stand firm. Let nothing move you.’ Let’s develop a ‘stubborn stability’ because we trust completely in the reliability of God’s word to us. Let’s decide to dig in, and to dig down deep. To be firmly planted. To be defiant in the face of challenges. To not go down without a fight – to be tenacious and aggressive against fear and doubt that will seek to uproot us.

Sometimes we can be so feeble; I know that’s certainly true of myself at times. I look at scary realities around me and I can be blown away as easily as a fluffy dandelion. We need to remember that we have Almighty God on our side. We aren’t being arrogant in adopting our steadfast position, as our solid roots are not linked to our own ability or power. Our roots can be sturdy and secure because in God we are ‘more than conquerors’. Each time we speak out or reflect on God’s word our roots grow down a bit deeper. Feed yourself with faith today – develop some thick roots to anchor you in the storm – alongside developing that aggressive cockney accent of course!

Let’s join together as a band of weeds and sing, ‘Weeds shall not, weeds shall not be moved’. Be firmly planted in your convictions today and in your belief for God to ‘but in’ and do the impossible – and remember as you do this, ‘The righteous will never be uprooted.’

Taken from When God ‘Buts’ In by Kate Williams

Are you facing a situation that looks impossible?

Many biblical characters faced huge obstacles too, until God brought a ‘but’ into the situation that changed their circumstances in a powerful way.

When God ‘buts’ in he isn’t meddling or interfering, he is divinely intervening in the situation.

Whether that results in a miraculous turnaround in circumstances or grace to sustain you through a trial, God wants to ‘but’ in and be actively involved in your life.

Kate Williams interweaves her personal experience of challenge with biblical truth to help stir your faith and trust God that he knows the intervention you most need.

Reflection

Are you more fluffy dandelion or hardy weed at the moment?

Can you think of a better voice for a weed than Phil Mitchell’s? Please do let me know if so.

Do you need to develop more of a tenacious and steadfast spirit in the storms that come your way?