...and counting. When we moved into our house last summer we knew that we would be cutting down some trees and shrubs. What we didn't know is that cutting stuff down is fairly easy-getting rid of big old ugly stumps, not so much.
For the last few weeks Chad has been working very hard on some particularly large stumps left over from some evergreen shrubs out front. Now, shrub stumps might not seem like a big deal, but these particular shrubs were so overgrown that when we began removing them we found a full size lamp post in working condition. My husband probably loses 5 pounds in sweat and frustration everytime he goes to work on these horrible shrub roots. He's gotten 2 out and has 1 left to go. In that corner.
Watching him chop and saw and dig got me thinking about other kinds of stumps. Like those left over stumps of sin that are rooted down deep and won't come up without a fight. As Christians we know that to be forgiven of sin is real simple. We confess that sin to Jesus and ask for His forgiveness. Done. Jesus loves to forgive us. The problem is, not all sins go without a fight. Sometimes we've sinned in an area of our lives for so long that the roots of that sin go down deep into our soul creating habits that aren't easily broken, Ever watch a tv show that you know you shouldn't but you do anyway? After awhile you decide that you're going to stop, repent and move on. Then, 9pm rolls around and you automatically grab that remote without conscious thought. Repetitive sin does that-sends down little rootlets of habit and desire every time we commit that sin.
Some sins make different kinds of roots-the kind called consequences. How easy it is to sin with our finances. I get greedy and envious. So I buy things I can't afford and pay for them for years. I spend way more money on the things of this world than on the things of heaven. I am more rooted in the culture of this world than I am rooted in scripture. I lust after the right kind of shoes more often than I long for heaven. I pant after new stuff for the house rather than panting after the Saviour of my soul.
So, I have some stumps to remove. I have a feeling they won't go easily. But I'm not going to have to cut them out all my myself. If I'm serious about removing them then I'll get down on my knees and ask the Master Carpenter to help me.
Comments
Jul. 22, 2008 - Untitled Comment
Posted by Anonymous
Thanks!! What a good reminder -- it is so much easier to just ignore those stumps or justify them being there! -- Kara
Jul. 28, 2008 - Untitled Comment
Posted by Stephanie
Great blog...glad to see the update!! :)
Need to go to work on those stumps too!
Aug. 2, 2008 - I was just random blogging....
Posted by OldPathsMom
And I'm glad I did - I really enjoyed this post on stumps. That really gave me a lot to think about! And I just adore your house! It's awesome!