The Barrenness of Doing it Ourselves
We have a flower farm here in Northern California and leading up to this beautiful idea has been a trial and error kind of adventure. Much like my early-marriage cooking, I killed plants on the regular. My impulsive Trader Joe’s porch plant purchases had rarely succeeded.
Years later, and actually (gasp) learning how plants work and what they need I managed to take up gardening as an enjoyable hobby-turned-farm business (abundanceacres.farm).
It was quite amazing that a little bit of knowledge and seeing success built up the confidence in myself to go bigger each year. Plants need water, but not as much. Who knew overwatering was a thing? Potted leafy goodies needed to be fertilized, and yellow leaves meant nitrogen was needed.
I previously trusted in my own half-knowledge of plants (water, sun, and soil, right?) to keep these things alive and going. Little did I know, realized from my failures, there is way more to it. I needed to read and trust the information on how to care for each plant.
How often do I trust my own ideas and strength for circumstances I desperately just need to read the Bible for wisdom?
“Thus says the Lord: "Cursed is the man who trusts in man and makes flesh his strength, whose heart turns away from the Lord. He is like a shrub in the desert, and shall not see any good come. He shall dwell in the parched places of the wilderness, in an uninhabited salt land. ’Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, whose trust is the Lord. He is like a tree planted by water, that sends out its roots by the stream, and does not fear when heat comes, for its leaves remain green, and is not anxious in the year of drought, for it does not cease to bear fruit.’ The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it? ’I the Lord search the heart and test the mind, to give every man according to his ways, according to the fruit of his deeds.’”
Jeremiah 17:5-10
If we are properly watering, fertilizing, and caring for the growth of our mind/heart/soul we will be ready for any circumstance coming our way.
God’s word is our handbook of growth.
When we trust in our own strength, we run dry. Not just dry but parched.
Everlasting water never leaves us disappointed and dry. For as long as we drink it, we will be satisfied.
What do we mean drink? It means we seek His wisdom, we trust His ways, and we continue walking and worshiping Him as Lord and Savior. We drink His cup of blood, remembering His work on the cross for us in every circumstance.
What do we mean fertilize? When a plant is properly fertilizer, it can actually withstand high heat, drought, and frost far better than weak plants. Are we in a church feeding us solid food giving us the nutrition we need to grow? Are we studying the Bible deeply or superficially? New believers may not be ready for solid food, therefore, must be tended to toward maturity lest they be crushed by trials. But maturity is marked by the food they crave and will help in every and all circumstances.
Proper care and nutrition will bear fruit which is valuable for those around us.
Are we rushing to bear fruit only to be discouraged and crushed when again we cannot get it right? Maybe you are leaning in your own understanding. Take a soul/soil sample with the help of the Lord to see if you are trying to do it yourself or if you are truly relying on the Lord.
Christ has already done it for us. Even when we fall again, kill plants, or ruin dinner. Get in the word and pray. A barren land can not produce fruit. Nourish your soul. Water your heart. His yoke is easy.
Psalm 16:5
1 Corinthians 3:2, 10:21, 11:25
Matthew 23:26
Matthew 11:29-3
Psalm 1
