Dandelion Evangelism
23 Sing to the LORD, all the earth; proclaim his salvation
day after day. 24 Declare his glory among the nations, his
marvelous deeds among all peoples. 1 Chronicles 16:23-24
(NIV)
Every spring I contemplate my front yard with fond
despair. As the days warm and grow longer, I
launch into a seasonal tussle with the plant life in
front of my house. I gird myself for what is
traditionally a string of losing skirmishes with every
garden blight imaginable.
23 Sing to the LORD, all the earth; proclaim his salvation
day after day. 24 Declare his glory among the nations, his
marvelous deeds among all peoples. 1 Chronicles 16:23-24
(NIV)
Every spring I contemplate my front yard with fond
despair. As the days warm and grow longer, I
launch into a seasonal tussle with the plant life in
front of my house. I gird myself for what is
traditionally a string of losing skirmishes with every
garden blight imaginable.
Grubs, slugs, mildew and rust. Bald spots, dry spots, pet spots: these are the
enemy every spring and summer. And then there are those pesky weeds! They
thrive absolutely everywhere, unlike my grass and flowers. My tender flowers
need my constant attention and my temperamental grass withers and browns at
even a hint of a dry spell. The weeds weather dry spells, hot days, chemical
attacks and brute force without much more than a leafy shrug.
Yesterday, as I stood looking at my field of battle, I saw an entire battalion of
jaunty dandelions marching across my lawn. Having supposedly eradicated them
just days before, I was amazed at their resilience. Not only were they surviving,
they were positively cheerful about their foray into "enemy territory".
Looking at the indomitable dandelions, I began to compare their unstoppable
march through the neighborhood to the efforts of Christian evangelists. When we
are called to share the news of salvation, do we wilt and wither without constant
encouragement and positive results? Or do we march forward with the
courageous spirit of a dandelion; putting down roots and blooming even where we
are least wanted? I don't want the dandelions, yet they persist. Many do not want
to hear about Jesus or understand their need for the savior, yet we must be as
persistent as weeds in their lives.
Dandelion evangelism is unstoppable, positive and contagious. Even as the
dandelion ages and its bloom fades, it continues its quest to conquer new territory
by producing a seed puff that is irresistible to little children and gentle breezes. As
messengers for God, proclaiming Christ to all people, let us try to be as joyfully
resolute as the lowly dandelion, even in the face of determined opposition.
© 2006 Elizabeth Williams
enemy every spring and summer. And then there are those pesky weeds! They
thrive absolutely everywhere, unlike my grass and flowers. My tender flowers
need my constant attention and my temperamental grass withers and browns at
even a hint of a dry spell. The weeds weather dry spells, hot days, chemical
attacks and brute force without much more than a leafy shrug.
Yesterday, as I stood looking at my field of battle, I saw an entire battalion of
jaunty dandelions marching across my lawn. Having supposedly eradicated them
just days before, I was amazed at their resilience. Not only were they surviving,
they were positively cheerful about their foray into "enemy territory".
Looking at the indomitable dandelions, I began to compare their unstoppable
march through the neighborhood to the efforts of Christian evangelists. When we
are called to share the news of salvation, do we wilt and wither without constant
encouragement and positive results? Or do we march forward with the
courageous spirit of a dandelion; putting down roots and blooming even where we
are least wanted? I don't want the dandelions, yet they persist. Many do not want
to hear about Jesus or understand their need for the savior, yet we must be as
persistent as weeds in their lives.
Dandelion evangelism is unstoppable, positive and contagious. Even as the
dandelion ages and its bloom fades, it continues its quest to conquer new territory
by producing a seed puff that is irresistible to little children and gentle breezes. As
messengers for God, proclaiming Christ to all people, let us try to be as joyfully
resolute as the lowly dandelion, even in the face of determined opposition.
© 2006 Elizabeth Williams