For the very first year I pulled on my boots and tilled our garden. Yes, I did it, with my husband standing near, video taping me for proof of the task. I put on my pink John Deere gloves and went to work. I must tell you it wasn't easy at first, but after a while I got the hang of it and learned how to move with the tiller instead of me doing the brunt of the work. There were still times I had to have my husband's guidance. He had to teach me how to turn. I gotta tell ya, planting is hard work. For a girl who doesn't like to sweat, I was sweating.
But don't we do the same with life too? I know I do. I don't give God the reigns. I take them and try to lead, which leaves us feeling as though we have tilled for hours when we have only been at it for thirty minutes. When we try to control everything it leaves us feeling exhausted and empty. I have never walked away from a situation I was trying to control feeling full. Instead I was needing fuel because I lost sight of the distance. Ah, not me going the distance, but the distance between me and God. See, I have learned the further I move away from Him, the more worn out I get.
Another thing is, with me not liking to sweat, my walk with Christ can be a picture of the same. We don't like to get out of our comfort zone. We like to keep things cool and when the work gets long and hard, well, we expect someone else to take over. What if we didn't expect someone to take over, but to stand with us in the work, as my husband did? How much better would our walk be with Christian brothers and sisters standing in the fields with us?
It doesn't matter what is going on in our lives. God is in control and we either believe that or not. We cannot have peace without faith. Think about it. It's that faith that gives us peace to keep moving forward.
After awhile I was moving about that garden like an old pro. Okay, I am exaggerating there. I'm not so sure I looked as if I fit in a garden, but you know what? My heart was in it and I was willing to try. I felt the effects of tilling the next day. Everything seemed sore and out of place. Until I realized to allow the tiller to do the brunt of the work, I was using up everything I had for the task. I had nothing left over. Now, as we stand before Christ, that is exactly how we should stand. We should be able to stand before Him knowing we used up every single gift He has given us, but we must remember where to place our attention and where our motivation lies. Sometimes we need help. Sometimes all we need is encouragement. I had that from my husband.
By the time I was finished tilling I was exhausted. But there were still plants to get into the ground. There was still a hoe awaiting my hand. But I wasn't alone. My husband was there, teaching me along the way, showing me just how deep to go and how far the plants needed to be set apart. He was sweating right along with me. Doesn't that make the task at hand better? Just to know your not alone motivates us to keep pushing forward.
How many times do I ignore God's direction in my life? Oh mercy. Too many times to count. I get ahead of myself and think I know just what to do without consulting Him. Have you ever found yourself needing a specialist? I have seen so many doctors over my lifetime you get used to those consultations. When your searching for someone to operate on you, well, you ask questions. You seek to find the best of the best. You don't just jump in and let anyone get hold of you. Right? So, why do we not consult the Lord before each and every task? Does it take up too much time? Because you know, our to-do lists are long and we like to check things off, in hopes of moving on to the next. But just what if God wants us to slow down? Get a second opinion? Wait for the right moment before we proceed?
My husband is such a wise man about many things. He amazes me with the knowledge he has. He doesn't just go grab any plants. He gets the plants that he knows will be great multipliers. He has been taught by his father and mother how to garden and he is slowly teaching me. I must tell you, I enjoyed having my hands in the dirt. Watching these plants take shape and grow daily makes me smile. Seeing my husband out there each morning doing the watering fills my soul with joy.
Just as these little seeds and plants were placed in the soil with care, God places us in the perfect situation, so that we can grow. He is the Ultimate Miracle Grow! Is that not the coolest thing ever? We have a God who knows exactly what we need to grow in our environment. He knows the weeds that need to be pulled out and just how much Son shine it is going to take to help us grow to new heights. If we are not doing too good He may just uproot us all together and place us in new surroundings.
Over the weekend my husband had me look outside at the Mimosa Tree he planted for me last year. I waited and waited to get a Mimosa Tree. It is my favorite of all favs. I looked outside and there upon the tree were breathtaking blossoms. I had to rush outdoors and place my nose right up to the blossoms. The aroma soared through my senses, leaving me with a smile of all smiles.
Just think of the smile upon our Savior's face when we wait upon Him. Just think how He feels when we go to Him for guidance and seek His teachings. When we have His favor upon us there is no amount of rain that can cloud the day. After all, shouldn't we be trusting God in the rain as well?
"I planted the seed in your hearts, and Apollos watered it, but it was God who made it grow. It's not important who does the planting, or who does the watering. What's important is that God makes the seed grow. The one who plants and the one who waters work together with the same purpose. And both will be rewarded for their own hard work. For we are both God's workers. And you are God's field. You are God's building."
1 Corinthians 3:6-9
