I stepped out into what looked like an urban jungle and was overwhelmed at the state of things.
We had been out of our home for nearly two years while our house was rebuilt after the fire. And the yard had exploded with weeds. Plants, bushes, and trees were out of control. It was chaos. This was not what was supposed to be.
We set out to tame this wilderness. Thankfully, with some help from dear brothers, we were able to make an initial dent. Then, after many months fighting the chaos—with chainsaws, axes, trimmers, clippers, and lawnmowers—we got things under control—mostly.
Finally, one day I looked out with pleasure upon this empty plot. I paused and celebrated that the weeds were gone. The day had come! The reward was a view of a blank canvas.
To my dismay, within weeks the weeds and invasive plants started to return. I fought them back only to fight the same battle again soon thereafter. All this, to have an empty plot of land.
Too many of us have reduced our faith to weed removal#
Here’s what struck me: most of us treat our spiritual lives the same way.
Many of us have reduced our spiritual life to the art of weed removal. We were created good but brokenness and sin invaded. So, we work to rid ourselves of the corruption. By the grace of God, we receive Jesus’ ultimate forgiveness to burn out the weeds we could not on our own.
How wonderful is the mercy of the Almighty!
He handles the weeds that we could not. Even though some—or many—persist, we know that in the end the work of Jesus on the cross has covered us. So, while weeds (aka sin) remain, we have a fresh start, an empty plot.
Two Responses to the Blank Canvas#
Most of us find ourselves somewhere in one of two camps—or somewhere in between. On one end: “I’m eternally covered so it doesn’t matter how I manage this plot.” On the other: “I need to keep this plot clear of weeds.”
Those in the first camp are grateful for eternal life but are so comfortable with this life insurance that they do not change how they live now. This is what Bonhoeffer would call “cheap grace.” This largely makes a mockery of the Good News and the cross of Jesus. It says that we want the gift He offers but don’t want Him.
In the second camp, others take the opposite approach, fighting the weeds relentlessly. This is along the lines of what Willard would call the “gospel of sin management.” This better respects the work of Jesus but does not step into the life that He speaks of nor the Kingdom He calls us into. Honestly it can be exhausting to live in this place. It feels a bit like that whack-a-mole game. We knock down (or at least confess) a sin only to have something pop back up.
Now these are not strict categories. Many find themselves somewhere between the two.
Success here is not life. Rather it is staying out of trouble.
The Goal is a Garden, Not an Empty Plot#
But the Holy Scriptures point us to something radically different.
The goal is not merely to have a plot free of weeds; the goal is to cultivate a garden.
Jesus did not come to merely set us back to the status quo. Jesus came to restore God’s plan for our lives.
Before sin there was purpose. Purpose ordained by the Creator.
- To be fruitful and multiply.
- To serve and protect God’s creation and people.
- To be God’s representative in the world.
- To be a royal priest for the Lord—reflecting His love to the world and leading the world to Him.
- To bless the world.
- To create, build, heal, restore.
- To be an ambassador of reconciliation.
When we stop at washing the canvas we miss this. This is the place that most never go. But it is where we are called.
We aim not to simply fight back sin; we aim to reclaim this purpose.
What Jesus Actually Came to Offer#
In Jesus’ own words, He says, “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.” (John 10:10)
At no point did Jesus say that He merely came to help us avoid hell. Nor to simply stay out of trouble.
Jesus invites us to follow Him. Jesus invites us to life. And to life in the full. Life in abundance.
Jesus invites us to cultivate a garden.
Cultivating Your Garden#
When I first began bivocational work with a role outside of ministry, I saw the “day job” only as a way to make ends meet for my struggling family. At first I just hoped to do well enough to keep the job and earn a paycheck to pay for our expenses. I just wanted to keep the plot free of weeds so I could feed my family.
Now, I’ve always been naturally driven and wanted to do good work. But, the real unlock came not just as I desired to do well in the role but saw this job not as something external but as connected to who God created me to be. When I realized that my calling as someone made in God’s image and my job as a programmer were connected, it allowed me to see that I was not just biding my time. Rather, I was—for however long God had me in that position—cultivating a garden. I was serving others. I was bringing blessings to clients and coworkers. I was shining the light of Jesus.
So what might cultivating a garden actually look like? Let’s get practical for a moment.
In your work
Focus on not just avoiding unethical behavior or actions that might get you fired. Ask yourself: how can I bring creativity, care, and blessing in my workplace?
Keep in mind that your work isn’t “secular” as in a place separated from God. Your work can be a place where you shine.
In your relationships
Move beyond how you can prevent yourself from causing problems by saying or doing the wrong thing. Ask yourself: how can I see the Image of God in this person? How can I love, encourage, and bless this person in the way of Jesus?
The goal is not a problem-free relationship; it is a thriving one.
In your gifts
Perhaps it is time to graduate from using your gifts and skills for personal pleasure or gain. Or perhaps it is time to invest deeper in restorative, Kingdom work.
Ask yourself: how can I use the talents God has developed in me to serve, create, and lift up?
God has given these to you for a purpose.
Invitation#
This week, I want you to try something: Stop going through the motions. Stop asking, “How can I avoid trouble?” and start asking, “What am I here to do?”
Sure, the weeds are real and need pulling. Sin is real. Repentance matters. But if weed-removal is all you’re doing, you’re missing the abundant life Jesus came to give.
Over the coming weeks, I’ll be exploring what it means to move from sin management to purpose; from blank canvas to flourishing garden. Next, we’ll look at why so many of us get stuck at the blank canvas, and it has to do with where we start reading the Bible.
But for today, ask yourself: What garden is God inviting you to cultivate?
A weed-free plot of land is massive—celebrate it! Now, go cultivate a garden in it!
I’d love to hear from you: what area of your life feels like a blank canvas right now, waiting to become a garden. Send me a note.