For almost a year and a half I neglected my garden partly because of writing and renewal work. One of my granddaughters tried gardening here last summer. Because I did not explain the needs of my garden she had some problems with it. For instance my soil is very acid and it doesn’t grow leafy vegetables very well. But throw an overripe strawberry anywhere and you will soon have a strawberry plant.
Many spots are shady in the summer and in those places it is best to grow mostly peas, garlic and onions. All gardens have special needs; they are like people and churches. I am reminded of the first part of Psalms 37 when I think of gardens, people and churches.
Do not fret because of evildoers, be not envious toward wrong doers. For they will wither quickly like the grass and fade like the green herb. Trust in the Lord and do good; dwell in the land and cultivate faithfulness. Delight yourself in the Lord; and he will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your ways to the Lord, trust also in him, and he will do it. He will bring forth your righteousness as the light and your judgment as the noonday.
When I think of the words “dwell in the land and cultivate faithfulness” I think of the call of every Christian. That word cultivate has so many shades of meaning, tend, grow, care, nurture. Faithfulness to Jesus is something we watch over by following him in so many ways. And it is there in the rest of the verses.
Delighting ourselves in him, we read his word, meditate on his great sacrifice for us. Committing our ways to him, we are obedient to his commandments, love each other and lift up those who are needy.
And the righteousness he brings forth in us is his righteousness that is why it comes forth like light. His judgment is for us and gives us noonday light because in him we are made holy. Sinners, yet in Jesus we are loved and forgiven.
This is for the church struggling and confused and for myself.
2 comments:
Beautiful post, Viola and Anne Herring's song really touched me today.
As I pulled weeds last evening (and there are SO many since we have had months of rain in PA) I could not help but think of the diligence it requires to maintain a garden. We get weary of uprooting falsehood and encouraging truth in the church too. You have encouraged me to remember who it is that provides the sun and rain, life and growth, and to leave those things and people beyond my control at his feet. Thanks for your faithful witness on these pages.
Thank you Marie, we have had an unusual amount of rain for May, even hail. I have lots of weeds: ) But lots of peas too.
I always love it when I see your name pop up on my comment section. Thank you for ministering in one of the hardest places in our denomination and all for his little ones.
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