Let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up.” Hebrews 12:1b
It was one of the craziest things I have seen. In my spare time or when I need to check out, I like to watch television…but not like you might think. You see, a long time ago I kinda checked out on network television. It finally got crazy enough that I decided I just didn’t need it. I know there are some good shows out there but for me the craziness overshadowed them. For years now, my viewing habits centered around house stuff, nature stuff, travel stuff, history stuff, and stuff-stuff or how this works or that works.
Anyway, was watching a travel show and this episode was on Holland. On this show, they would fly all over the country and talk about what you were seeing. If you know anything about Holland you know they are famous for wooden shoes, windmills, canals and, wait for it, tulips. So, they were flying over a tulip farm. Imagine, if you can, this massive field of every color of tulip imaginable. It was truly beautiful. I’m thinking how all the flowers will end up in the flower markets around Europe and how much joy they will bring to the people who bought them or received them.
And, then, it happened. Are you ready? Probably not. The angle of the camera changes some and it shows a tractor, and it is not harvesting the flowers—it is cutting them down. Say what? Yup…if I’m lying, I’m dying. The massive clipper thing was laying waste to zillions and zillions of flowers. And, in case you’re wondering, no one was coming along and picking them up. They were laid—not to rest but to waste. What in the world is going on? Well, here is deal.
This farm wasn’t in the flower business…it was in the bulb business. In other words, they were not selling flowers, they were selling the bulbs that produced the flowers. Their logic was simple—and even scientific. The flowers would drain the bulb of nutrients and they discovered that if they cut the flowers, the bulbs would benefit directly. Bigger and healthier bulbs meant a better price and for them…a bigger profit. While I still don’t understand why they couldn’t find a way to save the flowers, I think I understand why they did what they did. But what a waste.
The big truth here is really big. How can this apply to our life journeys, our Jesus journey? Well, the answer is this. When we are willing to lay aside the good for something better, or the better for the best, it suddenly makes sense. We all have things in our lives that may not be bad but the question to ask is, “Are they the best?” And remember—best is always better than better.
The author of Hebrews, which sounds like it belongs in the Old Testament instead of the New says, in Hebrews 12:1, “Let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up.” In other words, whatever causes us to not run our life race effectively, needs to be discarded—no matter how much it is liked—no matter how attractive it might be. We may need to cut the optional to enhance or save the essential. Worth it? Always.
Now when I first saw them cutting the flowers, it just seemed so illogical, and we might feel the same way when we started choosing best over better but remember this. God knows what is best, He desires the best for us, and He will help us choose the best if we will but ask. It’s just another of those times when He’s waiting to let you know, “I’ve got this.” Bro. Dewayne
Grits with Grace 