THE MASTER GARDENER

Luke 18:9-14 (NRSV)

He also told this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous and regarded others with contempt: "Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee, standing by himself, was praying thus, 'God, I thank you that I am not like other people: thieves, rogues, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week; I give a tenth of all my income.' But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even look up to heaven, but was beating his breast and saying, 'God, be merciful to me, a sinner!' I tell you, this man went down to his home justified rather than the other; for all who exalt themselves will be humbled, but all who humble themselves will be exalted."

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God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.
- John 3:17 (NRSV)
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THE weeds in the flower bed outnumbered the tiny seedlings that my young daughter and I had planted a few weeks earlier. I started on the job of pulling the weeds.

As I worked, a troubling scene from that morning's Bible study came to mind. One participant sounded off about how too many Christians "don't act like Christians." He complained that their professions of faith weren't reflected in their deeds, that they weren't bearing fruit. I respected this man, whose work among the youth of our community was well-known and well-intentioned; but his comments reminded me of the self-righteous Pharisees.

After a thoughtful moment, my pastor spoke. "I'm glad," he said quietly, "that it's not my job to decide whose heart is right. That's between each person and the Lord. Our job is to love them all."

Jesus told us to be like children. We can love as they do; and be quick to forgive, open to all. As we work in God's garden, we can plant seeds of faith in those around us to encourage and nurture spiritual growth. But it is not our job to weed out with criticism or disdain those who are not growing as we think they should.

Prayer: Lord, thank you for opportunities to work in your fields. Help us to be humble laborers and to entrust our efforts to you. Amen.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:
Let God do the weeding.

-- Karen Varley (Iowa, U.S.A.)

PRAYER FOCUS: Youth ministries