Dirty Knees
The knees of my jeans this morning are wet and dirty. I took advantage of a break in the rain to pull some weeds, and getting on my knees is the best posture for dealing with the invasive flora. It is also the best posture for dealing with the weighty problems I see invading the world, both near and far. Weeding requires little thought, leaving my mind and heart free to engage in far more significant battles.
The horrific attacks Hamas launched on Israel over the weekend loom largest on the world scene right now. The scale and brutality of the attacks is sickening, and as the conflict unfolds, the array of burdens and griefs is overwhelming: The casualties and their devastated families, the hostages in the hands of enemies with no conscience, Palestinian believers facing terrible dangers from both sides, the prospect of a long and brutal war, and the connections to God’s plan for history.
I pull another weed and lift all this up to the Lord, remembering the words of Jesus: “This kind can come out only by prayer.” (Mark 9:28)
Then I recall some distressing news I received from a family member. Lies of the spirit of this age are being embraced and the resultant damage is already sobering. There is great need for wisdom, truth, grace and love.
“This kind can come out only by prayer.”
My mind then sorts through a dozen different situations within our church family, many of which we prayed over last Thursday when we lifted up the ‘Weary, Lonely and Hurting.’ The struggle is long for most of these dear ones. Many weeds means much opportunity to intercede for these brothers and sisters by name.
“This kind can come out only by prayer.”
Now I have finished weeding, at least for now. After all, the battle against weeds is never truly done. This too is a picture of prayer. It is a continual labor in the Lord for his work in this corrupt world. So I say, ‘Amen’ for now until the next opportunity to dirty my knees.
Pastor Toby
Categories: Evergreen Connection