#17 – The “Kudzu” of our lives – June 20, 2024

James 4:7, “Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.”

In the early 1900’s a plant was imported from China and Japan for several reasons.  “Kudzu” was imported for ornamental purposes, forage crops for livestock and erosion control.  It was grown for its edible starchy roots and fiber from its stems and, of course, fodder for livestock. This “vine” can be found in several southern states and possibly a few northern states.  Being from Mississippi, I saw the Kudzu vine almost everywhere.  When it was first introduced to this country, everyone thought it was a great idea.  However, this perennial vine had a “twisted” hidden agenda.

Once this vine was planted, it needed to be controlled.  If not, it becomes an invasive species that “chokes” out other vegetation, including native plants.  From just a few plants of Kudzu, it can spread quickly and become stronger as it intertwines together.  What seemed like a good idea, became something that is hard to kill and get rid of.

Then we have the “Field Bindweed”…also called Creeping Jenny.  This is also a perennial vine that is considered the most serious weed problem in South Dakota and a few other states.  This vine was introduced to us from Eurasia.  Like the Kudzu, it attaches itself to other “good” plants and tends to choke them out.  The only way to kill this vine is with harsh chemicals.  Even then, however, if even a small part of it is left to reproduce, it will spread until it takes over the entire area again.  They say the best way to get rid of this vine is to pull it out or dig it up in an attempt to get the entire root of the problem.  Even then, it’s a hit or miss solution.

We actually have many other vines that tend to take off climbing and spreading wherever it wishes.   The main stem will sprout up and its branches will extend to make a beautiful garden, or a choking unit that will destroy the beauty of the garden.  Even good vines have to be controlled.  They need to be watered, trimmed, and positioned in an effort to prevent them from branching off into unwanted territories. 

Satan is like the Kudzu and the Field Bindweed.  He enters your life with the pretense of being something good.  He has a way of presenting himself as something pleasing to the eyes and you want more and more of it.  He begins to use his “branches” to smother you in grief, sorry, anger, depression, and distrust.  You become the fruit of “his” vine.  One day you realize that you need to get rid of his control on your life but it is so very difficult.  Even if you can eliminate a small portion of his control, there will be more to get rid of.  He has his roots so deep in your life that you think there’s no way of getting rid of his total grasp.

And then, at some point in your life, you hear, or read, these words from John 15:5-8, “I AM the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.  If anyone does not abide in Me, he is cast out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them and throw them into the fire and they are burned.  If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you. By this My Father is glorified that you bear much fruit, so you will be My disciples” (Read John 15:1-11).

So how do we keep Satan from taking hold of us?  We must resist the desire of Satan from the very beginning by holding on to the One and only Vine that can give us that freedom.  Don’t allow Satan to plant the root of evil into your soul. 

I see Satan’s vines spreading out across this world in an attempt to take over our lives.  He wants us to turn our back on the only good Vine that can destroy his “roots”.  We can help in doing that.  Start by searching for the truth in what we see, what we hear, and what we feel in the depths of our soul. 

Jesus will “water” us with His scriptures, “trim” us with His discipline, and “position” us where we need to be for His glory.

Who, and what, are you going to allow to grow in your garden?

Nancy Stoppe                     

Stoppe123@comcast.net

Blog – inspirationalinsights6.com  (inspirational insights 6 .com)