the little foxes that ruin the vineyards,
our vineyards that are in bloom.
– Song of Solomon 2:15
Foxes are omnivores–they eat all kinds of things. They will eat rodents…which can be a GOOD thing, but they also eat fruit, berries, grasses and may even dig to reach tender roots or shoots of new plants.
Imagine your life, my life…and the new habits we are hoping to sow–what we think about, what we do, what we believe–as a vineyard. The vineyard is vulnerable, tender, young. We haven’t had much time to establish these new habits…these new plants. There is a promise of a fruitful future as we continue to “work the soil” of our hearts. There is hope and yet the work is hard so early on.
Have there been “little foxes” running through your life trying to spoil the work that God is doing as you partner with him in the tending of your vineyard?
What kinds of things act as foxes in your life right now, today, during the past week?
The past two days have been challenging for me! I am not sure why! I woke up on Friday morning with a declaration, “I don’t FEEL like trying to be godly any more! I am DONE!” What is up with that? 🙂 I couldn’t even blame hormones!
Actually, that thought of “I don’t FEEL like trying to be godly any more,” wasn’t just a “little fox,” but was like a huge bear! I needed to nip it in the bud immediately! Because I didn’t catch that fox, it wreaked havoc on Friday and Saturday. Nothing blatantly evil…but just making its way through my life, here and there…all day long…pulling up, as it were, the godly thoughts and behaviors I was attempting to sow–the root of a tender heart–I was trying to cultivate to the Lord–any hope of fruit that was evidence of a life given to God.
I am behind in my reading…I hope some of you can use the extra time to catch up. This coming week, the assignment will be to read and work through chapters 5, 6, and 7…more on that tomorrow, but I did want you to know where I was with the reading.
Today, I think I will ask the Lord to help with the damage left from the indiscretions of the last two days…it doesn’t have to be really blatant. The “little” foxes can do plenty of damage with constant peck pecking at the roots and tender shoots of my life…I need the Lord, the Master Gardener to get this “vineyard” back in shape again.
Time to wait on the Lord…
For your consideration:
1.) What “little foxes” are assaulting your “vineyard?”
2.) What can you do to “catch” the little foxes?
3.) What can you do to more adequately care for, nurture and protect your young “vineyard” of thoughts and behaviors that will glorify God relative to food, eating, body image and all the other related things?
I hear ya on this one Heidi. Wow…what a week. I'm just trusting the Lord that if He is allowing this, then He can make good of it. I think those dark little corners are being exposed to the Light of healing…and that doesn't always feel too 'comfortable'. All I can say is 'Jesus, I trust in You'.
I hear ya on this one Heidi. Wow…what a week. I'm just trusting the Lord that if He is allowing this, then He can make good of it. I think those dark little corners are being exposed to the Light of healing…and that doesn't always feel too 'comfortable'. All I can say is 'Jesus, I trust in You'.
I'm so glad we are in this together. It helps to know I am not the only one struggling. Thanks for being so transparent.
I'm so glad we are in this together. It helps to know I am not the only one struggling. Thanks for being so transparent.
Amen to all my sister's comments! Once again I am so fearful I understand it all in my head but the rest does not want to follow. I keep giving it to God, giving it to God…
Amen to all my sister's comments! Once again I am so fearful I understand it all in my head but the rest does not want to follow. I keep giving it to God, giving it to God…
Exactly what I needed to hear and questions I need to ask myself and bring before the Lord. Thank you, Heidi.Also, I'm glad you're slowing up a bit in the book. That works out just perfect for me!Cher (CherHim)
Exactly what I needed to hear and questions I need to ask myself and bring before the Lord. Thank you, Heidi.Also, I'm glad you're slowing up a bit in the book. That works out just perfect for me!Cher (CherHim)
Thanks Heidi for sharing that..I had a few foxes hovering over me last nite.. I had to rebuke them..but the struggle is real.. I just had to keep asking Jesus to "get me thru this"…and it helped.. I have to remain steadfast in this journey…I need to be in better health..and I need a greater intimacy with my Lord.. Thanks for your encouragement and time you spend helping all of us, thru the TW ministry…Luv you..Barbi
Thanks Heidi for sharing that..I had a few foxes hovering over me last nite.. I had to rebuke them..but the struggle is real.. I just had to keep asking Jesus to "get me thru this"…and it helped.. I have to remain steadfast in this journey…I need to be in better health..and I need a greater intimacy with my Lord.. Thanks for your encouragement and time you spend helping all of us, thru the TW ministry…Luv you..Barbi
Isn't it something how we can be assaulted, girls? Our battle is not with flesh and blood. I must remember this. My pastor has announced that he is leaving. No matter what I think about that decision, people that I love (including him) are overwhelmed with grief about this. Some, who have left our church already, are also shocked/upset (we live in a small town)…and the pain just seems so pervasive. My heart is heavy and I sense God's call to something greater than spending my days contemplating my navel in sadness. I must persevere. So must we all! This IS what life is! This IS the Christian life! As we hang in there we *are* *living* the abundant life! Confidence in HIS ability to satisfy our deepest longings even in the face of extreme trials…and I know my trials are nothing compared to many. We must wait on the LORD! 🙂
Isn't it something how we can be assaulted, girls? Our battle is not with flesh and blood. I must remember this. My pastor has announced that he is leaving. No matter what I think about that decision, people that I love (including him) are overwhelmed with grief about this. Some, who have left our church already, are also shocked/upset (we live in a small town)…and the pain just seems so pervasive. My heart is heavy and I sense God's call to something greater than spending my days contemplating my navel in sadness. I must persevere. So must we all! This IS what life is! This IS the Christian life! As we hang in there we *are* *living* the abundant life! Confidence in HIS ability to satisfy our deepest longings even in the face of extreme trials…and I know my trials are nothing compared to many. We must wait on the LORD! 🙂