The Grass Is Greener. . .(revisited)

So it's been two months since I cleaned up the back yard and began the work of replacing weeds and sand-spurs with nice green grass. It hasn't been easy. It's a whole lot of work setting up a good foundation to make sure the grass has the best chance possible.

In The Grass Is Greener. . . I talked about how bright green, super healthy grass is usually sitting on a septic tank and some (so-called) Christians are the same way. In The Grass Is Greener. . .(again) I talked about laying a good foundation for believers to grow and harming the growth of some by focusing on the people who really aren't willing to follow God.

One last little thought. . .

I've planted and grass has come up, but there were a lot of places where the seed I planted didn't grow. Nothing happened. And so I ended up with patches all over. Just because the seeds didn't grow there doesn't mean I give up. Rather, I knew I had to make some changes in the soil and I needed to add some fertilizer. When I examined most of this grass-less spots I noticed it was very sandy. So I removed those areas and replaced them with topsoil, replanted the seed, and added some fertilizer. Grass is already coming up in those places.

Sometimes in our walk with Christ we come across similar road blocks. Especially when we're trying to reach people. We have to know whether or not God is saying, "give this up and move on to something else" or whether we needed to change the foundation (soil) and the gospel approach (fertilizer). It seems to me that so many are interested in inviting people to church in one way or sharing Christ with others in one way. Yes we want to see the lives of others changed but sometimes we need to change first by picking a different soil and fertilizer to use.

"Devote yourselves to prayer with an alert mind and a thankful heart. Don't forget to pray for us, too, that God will give us many opportunities to preach about his secret plan – that Christ is also for you Gentiles. That is why I am here in chains. Pray that I will proclaim this message as clearly as I should. Live wisely among those who are not Christians, and make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be gracious and effective so that you will have the right answer for everyone." Colossians 4:2-6