It’s not readily available in the United States, and when I used to live there, I really missed it! Fortunately for me, it IS available in Canada, even in unlikely, “budget” grocery stores. It was also available in Europe. In fact, it was in my home country, Belgium, that I first discovered the best-tasting cereal in the world: Wheetabix!

Once you taste Weetabix, you will understand how it is that you will go into a grocery store for some bleach or dish soap and come out with Weetabix. As you make your way through the labyrinth that has been set up for your “convenience” (Don’t you think that our grocery stores now more closely resemble zoos?), you will eventually find yourself facing the cereal section, and your eyes will be drawn to that yellow box with its blue label and white lettering: “Weetabix”, and for some reason, it will “jump” into your cart!

Oh the blissful taste! Mix it with a few strawberries or raspberries and you will feel like you’re in heaven! For those out there who are health conscientious, there is no need to add oat bran or wheat bran, Weetabix contains all the wheat germ and wheat bran that is available in any whole grain of wheat.

Irresistible, don’t you think? But though this is the most wonderful cereal out there, it’s funny that many don’t think they like it. Most people turn their royal noses up at it, preferring other cereals that are more renown for their horrible, distasteful, disgusting, sour, abhorrent, repulsive, prickly and ugly looking component.

What kind of cereal am I talking about, you ask? It’s true that no one ever remembers buying this kind of cereal, yet they all are addicted to it. Every day, they all faithfully have their daily dose of Weedabix (no, not Weetabix, which is the good tasting one!). Instead of wheat, its main ingredient is weed. Once you taste this weed, it will start to appear anywhere on and inside your body, taking total control of your heart, your soul, and your mind as well. Invasion of the Weedabix! Look out!

“Why would anyone want to buy that kind of distasteful stuff?”

Maybe because others are buying the disgusting stuff. Or maybe because it is free. You would take home free cereal if you could, wouldn’t you? But remember, many things that are “free” really carry heavy price tags in consequences! Oh those stomach aches!

“Why have I never heard of this? Am I in any danger of eating this Weedabix? Am I growing weeds?”

Everyone is in danger. It seems our whole planet has been contaminated with this rapidly-spreading cereal that now ravages our lives. Let’s read what Jesus has to say about it: “The kingdom of heaven is like a man who sowed good seed in his field. But while everyone was sleeping, his enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat, and went away. When the wheat sprouted and formed heads, then the weeds also appeared. The owner’s servants came to him and said, ‘Sir, didn’t you sow good seed in your field? Where then did the weeds come from?’ ‘An enemy did this,’ he replied. The servants asked him, ‘Do you want us to go and pull them up?’ ‘No,’ he answered, ‘because while you are pulling the weeds, you may root up the wheat with them. Let both grow together until the harvest. At that time I will tell the harvesters: First collect the weeds and tie them in bundles to be burned; then gather the wheat and bring it into my barn.'” (Matt 13:24-30 NIV)

“Wow! Wait a minute! Isn’t Jesus talking about His church in this passage?”

You are absolutely right!

“Who is that ridiculous enemy who is sowing weeds among the wheat?”

Jesus explains this parable a bit further in his discourse to his disciples: “The one who sowed the good seed is the Son of Man. The field is the world, and the good seed stands for the sons of the kingdom. The weeds are the sons of the evil one, and the enemy who sows them is the devil. The harvest is the end of the age, and the harvesters are angels.” (Matt 13:37-39 NIV)

“You mean the devil is the one sowing weeds among the ‘wheaty’ Christians?”

Yes, and this is the reason why no church is perfect! Just like a hospital is a place for those who are sick, the church is for those who are spiritual sick. Some of those who faithfully attend church and call themselves Christians are not listening to Jesus. Instead they are secretly doing the devil’s work, creating havoc here and there, and spreading confusion wherever they step.

Because weeds are growing everywhere in the world, they are an inevitable part of any church. Jesus is clear though. It is not our job to weed those out, at the risk of “rooting up the wheat.” We have to leave that in God’s hands. He will take care of this at the appropriate time. Instead of focusing on the weeds, we are encouraged to center our attention on Jesus, who paid the price for us to be really “weed” free!

“Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.” (Heb 12:2-3 NIV)

May I encourage you to taste the real Weetabix, the one that is weed free? It is only available to those who really know Jesus. The choice is yours.

Rob Chaffart