Tales from the Garden: Part 2

Cucumber (Top) and Watermelon

Well... the cucumber plants are officially out of control. I planted one seedling and a bunch of seeds back in late March and now they are growing like weeds on a mission.

Just the other day I noticed that my cucumber plants (vines) had grabbed a hold of the bell pepper plant with their snaky grabbers. I was horrified. I only have one bell pepper plant and I'd like to see it produce a few peppers before it dies. But the bell pepper plant was only the tip of the iceberg. The cucumber vines had also grabbed the jalapeño plants, okra, and watermelon vines. I nearly passed out! (OK, I didn't nearly pass out but I need some drama for this post!) The cucumber vines were threatening to strangle the rest of my garden.

I had to act. And act fast.

So I started breaking the vine of its vice grip on my garden. Quickly. Gently. I didn't want to harm the cucumber vine yet I wanted to save my other plants. So I broke tentacle after tentacle until my garden was free.

A lot of Christians are like my cucumber vines -- they come to faith in Christ and grow wild. They just take off like a rocket in every direction, soaking up every bit of information they receive -- good AND bad. Sometimes in their exuberance they end up strangling other believers around them. Their intention is good. They just want to grow and serve. But they run over their brothers and sisters in the process. I've seen it happen in newer believers young and old.

So how do you deal with an overly excited brother or sister? Just like those cucumber vines, you correct them gently. Everyone needs to be sober and self-controlled. Don't hurt them. Instead, guide them. You don't want them to lose their excitement over their new life in Christ. But you also need to watch out for other believers and their spiritual lives. So correct gently. Just like I had to do with my cucumber vines.

Be God's.