Making Things Grow

"So neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow." (1 Cor. 3:7 NIV)

It’s gardening season. Two months ago, while there was still snow on the ground, we planted seeds in trays. We kept them indoors, watered them, and watched the seedlings grow. Some seeds germinated early. Others took their time. The seedlings have been ready to go outside for the last few weeks, but we kept them indoors until the risk of frost had passed. Yesterday we finally took all the seedlings and planted them in the ground. We will continue to watch over them, water them, and weed between the rows. However, only God can make things grow.

Preparing the soil, planting, watering, weeding, fertilizing, harvesting, processing, storing food for the winter--gardening is a lot of work. And because we invest so much of our energy and time in this project, we often assume that we make things grow. We take all the credit when things go well and often blame ourselves or our circumstances when things don’t work out according to our expectations.

The outcome is not always up to us. It is good to invest in our marriages, in our children, in our work, in our friendships, in our health, and in our faith. However, no matter how devoted we are, we are not in control. We may cultivate our fields, but we have to entrust God with the growth.

Lord, help us to do our part, and then trust you to make things grow to full maturity according to Your plan.

Crushing It

“In your strength I can crush an army; with my God I can scale any wall.” (Psalm 18:29 NLT)

Mud Runs are obstacle course races held in muddy fields. These races are popular, because they make participants feel tough and adventurous. The events take a few hours to complete. Teams of runners crawl under barbed wire, climb up rope ladders, wade through icy water, walk on slippery balance beams--all to prove to themselves that they can overcome challenges. Tandem mud runs require you and your partner to complete tasks together. Much of the race is run with the stronger partner carrying the weaker one on his back. Holding on to each other is much tougher when both of you are covered in slippery mud.

Real life is a lot more challenging than a mud run. It’s messier. The obstacles are unpredictable. The race goes on for decades. And no amount of  training can prepare us to tackle everything that comes our way.  Many people assume that they can develop the strength, stamina, endurance, wits, and courage to face hurdles on their own. Experience says otherwise.  Under our own power, we might be able to get through a few things. But only in God’s strength can we crush spiritual oppression and scale the massive challenges of real life. We have a God who is willing to carry us on His back through much of the race. Our job is to trust and hold on no matter how slippery things get. The course is still tough; we will get pushed through dark tunnels, shoved across barriers, and pulled through muddy trenches. We will be dirty and exhausted before the end. Yet, we can make it through. The God we depend on is strong and capable. He trains us; He supports us; He carries us when needed. He makes us sure-footed. He keeps us from slipping. With Him, we can  crush any obstacle and overcome every difficulty.

Lord, you have carried me thus far through the messy obstacles of life. Help me to hang on and trust You no matter how difficult it gets.

Searching for Meaning

“Everything got started in him and finds its purpose in him.” (Colossians 1:16 MSG)

Some of us spend our entire lives searching: Why am I here? What is my purpose? Some pursue success, security, and material wealth, hoping that these will bring satisfaction and significance. Yet, many of us never find answers or happiness. We just get stuck in a continuous search mode.

We cannot experience true happiness when our life is devoid of meaning. However, some people are able to find meaning even when their lives are full of suffering. This seems counterintuitive at first. Yet, on closer inspection, we notice something interesting. Significance is often found by  those who are devoted to a greater purpose and a higher power.

The Greek word logos is often translated as ‘word’ in English translations of the Bible. Logos can also be translated as ‘meaning.’ Thus, John 1:1 could be a clue to the meaning for which we are searching:

In the beginning, Meaning already existed. The Meaning was with God, and the Meaning was God.

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My Purpose

“Don’t be afraid! Speak out! Don’t be silent.” (Acts 18:9 NLT)

When I was a kid, I used to ride the school bus. When the driver needed to figure out if someone was on the bus, he would call out the kid’s name. The bus was always noisy, and nobody paid attention to the driver. Since I usually sat up front, I could hear the driver better than those in the back. I also had a booming voice. So I often found myself repeating loudly whatever the driver said. It was the only time that being loud actually came in handy. As I grew up, I realized it was not ‘proper’ for a young lady to have a strong voice. I tried really hard to be soft-spoken and ladylike, but I always ended up back at my default setting. I wondered why God had made me defective.

Now I know I was mistaken. God made me with a purpose in mind. He delights in me. I am loved and cherished. His Spirit whispers into my heart. He helps me understand. His revelations and insights light up my darkness. What God whispers, I must repeat out loud. What God reveals in the deepest recesses of my heart, I must speak up for all to hear. Everyone is distracted, including me. I must learn to vigilantly focus. Every  gift I have must be used to get people to pay attention.  To know God and make Him known. This is my purpose.

Lord, thank you for all that you reveal to me. Help me to be fearless. Help me to speak up.

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Peripheral Vision

“For this people’s heart has grown dull, and with their ears they can barely hear, and their eyes they have closed; lest they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears and understand with their heart and turn, and I would heal them.’ (Acts 28:27 ESV)

Many people have diminished peripheral vision. They can see what is directly in front of them. However, they often miss what’s going on around them. After a while, they start ignoring that which they can’t see clearly. They have sight but poor perception.

Hearing loss is also common in people as they age. The louder the background noise, the more difficult it becomes to understand what others are saying. Some people have selective hearing. They choose to listen to only what they want to hear.  They stop paying attention to that which they cannot comprehend.

Distraction also impairs awareness. It diminishes our sensitivity. Dulled senses lead to apathy, and apathy leads to stagnancy, and stagnancy leads to death. When we stop growing, we start dying.

We must turn around. Pay attention. Spiritual vision and hearing are indispensable. Our hearts must be receptive in order for us to receive healing.

Lord, open our eyes and ears, soften our hearts--so that we may perceive you and be healed.

What-A-Waste

“While he was eating, a woman came in with a beautiful alabaster jar of expensive perfume and poured it over his head. The disciples were indignant when they saw this. “What a waste!” they said. “It could have been sold for a high price and the money given to the poor.” (Matthew 26:7-8 NLT)

Since Catholic priests make vows of celibacy, many women consider it a lost opportunity when a really handsome guy joins the priesthood. This belief has given rise to the humorous term: ‘Father What-A-Waste’--a phrase used to describe Catholic priests who are good-looking. Similarly, when people devote the prime of their lives to seeking and serving God, many find this wasteful--as if prayer and spiritual activities are best left to those who can’t do much else. Those who are young and vital are encouraged to pursue worldly goals--to follow their ambitions, to earn money, to enjoy themselves, and to amass personal achievements. Pouring out your precious years and abilities to serve God is often considered extravagantly inefficient.

Many of us are reluctant to even spend productive daylight hours alone with God. We may also hesitate to give up evenings when our families are home and there are good prime time TV shows or sporting events going on. If we give God our time and energy, it is usually when we are have very little left to give. We attempt to pray and connect with Jesus when we are sick, tired, desperate, and/or distracted.

Let us offer the most precious parts of our lives to God. It is time to break open our alabaster jars and pour out our most cherished valuables for His sake. He is worthy. Not much else is.

Lord, help me to release everything I hold dear. I want to pour myself out at your feet. Show me how to give my best, without reservations.

Healing

“He sent out his word and healed them, and delivered them from their destruction.” (Ps. 107:20 ESV)

We are all broken. We are desperate for physical, mental, emotional, relational, and spiritual wellness. We seek healing from self-help books, doctors, medicines, therapy, and surgery. We may get temporary relief and band-aid treatments. Yet, deep down, we remain wounded, continually degenerating.

Some of us call out to God in our desperation. God’s power and truth are expressed through His Word. He speaks into our lives. This targeted therapy, directed straight into our souls, results in healing. We are rescued from oppression, pulled back from the edge of the cliff.

Some people can’t or won’t call out to God when they are in trouble. We, who have faith, can call for help in their stead.  God will express His power in ways that are specifically designed for each situation and person. No one is beyond redemption. God shall send out His word and heal our brokenness. He will pull us back from the brink of destruction.

Lord, may we hear the words of truth that You speak into our lives. Heal us. Rescue us. Restore us.