Cleavers

The hedgerows are growing apace in this warm June weather. One of the plants I’ve noticed recently is goosegrass, or cleavers - or sticky weed as we called it when we were children.

 

It’s a common plant, though not always easy to spot in the tangle of June's luxuriant growth.

It reaches up to 3’ in length, with inconspicuous white flowers, tending to sprawl unless supported by other plants. You will know it better, I’m sure, by its small, bristle-covered fruits that cling to anything, human or animal, which brushes against them. The leaves, too, are covered with tiny bristles, equally adept at clinging on! 

I am reminded of the words in Hebrews: the sin which so easily ensnares us. Like cleavers, it can be hard to spot, catch us unawares, and cling tenaciously.

Let us strive to lay it aside, to be alert and watchful, looking unto Jesus, relying on the Holy Spirit’s enabling, for “Salvation for the sinner is Christ’s work; salvation in the sinner is the Spirit’s work. Of this internal work he is the beginner and the ender. He works in you, in order to your believing, as truly as he works in you after you have believed, and in consequence of your believing.” (Horatius Bonar: God’s way of Peace) (emphasis original)

Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. (Hebrews 12:1-2)

Our blest Redeemer, ere He breathed

His tender, last farewell,

A Guide, a Comforter, bequeathed

With us to dwell.

 

He came in tongues of living flame,

To teach, convince, subdue;

All-powerful as the wind He came,

As viewless too.

 

He came sweet influence to impart,

A gracious willing Guest,

While He can find one humble heart

Wherein to rest.

 

And His the gentle voice we hear,

Soft as the breath of even,

That checks each fault, that calms each fear,

And speaks of heaven.

 

And every virtue we possess,

And every conquest won,

And every thought of holiness,

Are His alone.

 

Spirit of purity and grace,

Our weakness, pitying, see:

O make our hearts Thy dwelling place,

And worthier Thee.

 

Henriette Auber