Poison Ivy and Milkweed

As a child I adopted a great love for the outdoors. Leaving Newark for rural West Virginia, where I lived for 8 years, I was intrigued by nature and quickly adapted to the outdoor life. Unfortunately, in my woodland adventures I soon discovered the perils of this green environment. Poison ivy came to be a frequent interruption to my enjoyment.

However, rising through and towering above the contagious vine-covered field of poison ivy was another notable plant—milkweed. An old-timer dropped an invaluable bit of wisdom on me to ease my suffering. He taught me how to extract the thick white sap (hence the name milkweed) from the plant and apply it to my rash. I must admit—at first it stings like alcohol and later creates an intense itch as it dries, but it dries out the blisters and commences healing.

As Christians, we’re occasionally tempted to take walk on the wild side. We take the chance and turn away from where God’s been leading and keeping us safe, thus, ending up poisoned from the experience. The Lord wants us to steer clear of these known dangers set by the enemy, understanding what looks so enticing at first can leave us with a tremendous itch. Trust and believe that there are serious consequences for flirting with a sinful world—and who knows just what may rub off on us.

I still wondered why the remedy is found amidst the poison ivy itself. I then realized that sometimes the only way we can discover the cure from our ailment is from within the center of our pain. I won’t say that God’s way of getting our attention is by inflicting pain, discomfort, or distress (we often do that ourselves), but He uses these trials to our advantage by remaining present in our times of suffering. In compassion, He stands above the creeping ivy teaching us to look to the hills from which cometh our help. He helps us to stand fast among a sea of evildoers and rise above our negative and wretched circumstances. And we learn the cure can only be found in Christ—His blood and His love, which covers a multitude of sins—and all that’s needed is its application.

So, if by chance, you’ve found your way into a hurtful situation and are left blistered by the experience, look for the One who stands above it all and is ready to nurse us back to health with His milk of understanding, guidance, patience, and love. Sure, it’s going to sting at first, but let go of your pride and admit you’re in a bad way, and be soothed by His balm and relieved by His healing.


This week’s blog is brought to you by Min. Reginald Harris, Youth Leader of Christian Love Baptist Church in Irvington, NJ.