The following is a guest post by Melissa K. Norris. Melissa is a Christian fiction writer who just came out with a new book entitled Pioneering Today — her first non-fiction work. Click on the link and check out her special promotion that expires October 31st. The following post has been excerpted from her new book.
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“There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven.” (NIV) Ecclesiastes 3:1
Many scriptures and parables in the Bible talk about seasons and gardening. There is the parable of the mustard seed, the fig tree, the weeds, and numerous other verses that have to do with crops, harvesting, and growing things.
During Jesus’s time on earth, he used parables that were relatable to the time and people. Stories and analogies that were common and familiar to them.
But I think there was another reason Jesus used these examples. A reason in our fast paced technologically filled world, we are sadly missing.
I believe that when we are still, away from the hustle and bustle of technology, we can feel God’s presence. It is stronger when there is no static or interference from man-made noise.
I don’t feel it’s coincidence I feel closer to God while gardening. The creator of all life, the I Am, who could have chosen any place or environment in this world to house Adam and Eve, placed them in a garden.
He came down from heaven every night, in the cool of the evening, to walk and visit with two people whom He loved. Just as He loves you and me, He still comes down from heaven to walk with me in my garden.
When was the last time you were surrounded by silence?
I don’t mean the television off, radio down, phone on vibrate. I mean true silence.
Often, I turn off these devices while reading my Bible and working on my books, but there is a deeper silence.
Six months ago, our power went out. Living in the foothills of the Cascade Mountains, this isn’t highly unusual. It’s annoying, but not uncommon in the stormy months.
But when the power went off, so did all the background noise I’d become used to. No hum of the refrigerator, no back-up fan on my computer. Complete silence.
And I heard God’s whisper, “Now can you hear Me?”
We grow a large vegetable garden. I’ve never faced a spring, even from childhood, that hasn’t been filled with readying the soil for seeds and planting. And yet, after thirty-one years, every time I step foot into the garden, I’m reminded of God. Countless times I’ve plucked weeds from the soil and He reminds me of the spiritual weeds I need to pull from my life.
When your hands are covered in dirt, the parables of the rocky soil take on a whole new meaning.
I believe we all should grow something, even if it’s just a small seed in a pot on our window sill, to remind us of the things God makes. Too often, we surround ourselves with the things from our own hands, and forget that He created it all.
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What amazes me is the art of silencing oneself each day seems so uncommon, in my circles anyway. Is that true in general and why do you think that would be when we know the benefits of being still before God?
Nancy, I think we so busy with our to-do-list that we try to do everything at once. We mistakenly tell ourselves we don’t have the time for the silence. Essentially, we’re saying we don’t have the time for God. When in fact, if we do take the time to enter into silence and hear Him, we’ll have more focus and energy to do what is important.
The enemy loves to tell us lies and steal our time with God. We have to make the decision and declaration that we’re going to find the silence and God. Then act on it, which is sometimes, the hardest part.
SOME SAY #171 “Not many of you should become bloggers, my brothers, for you know that they who blog will be judged with greater strictness.” (Dr. Mark Ross and St.James 10-19-12)
I can relate. It is even hard for me to make the switch from actively praying to listening. I mostly hear from God during other moments when I am not distracted, often when I am not “expecting” to hear from him.
Jon, I’m so glad you can relate to this. God uses all kinds of moments, but I’m most blown away when I sit back and let Him work, instead of trying to direct.
I, too, find God in my garden, which is one of the reasons I’m such an advocate of everyone getting outside to appreciate nature. Whether it’s gardening or birding or taking an evening stroll, God speaks to us constantly through creation. Lovely reminder, Melissa!
Hi, Jan
I love how God uses all of His creation to reach us. 🙂 The beauty of the leaves reminds me of how much an artist He is.
This my first time to respond to this or any blog. But had just wrote about the order of and the dirt we walk on. So if this fits or can be used or not no offence.
Grate reminder Melissa!!
The reason for having the church in Gods order or season is to let the Spirit lead.
Lets start with earth or dirt is a mater create by God and couldn’t do without it.
Just think we walk, drive, have our homes, raise our garden and were formed out of it.
BY GOD –How infinite is HE?
We have become so used to and think dirt gets in our way as we have to organize it to live more comfortable. Dust must be kept under control to love life more. So are many other matters such as fire and water.
But not so with the Spirit we shall stay out of the way and let IT do and be as God leads.
We tend to control as we do other things in our lives for various reasons.
To be more comfortable, to know what to expect, to not get embarrassed or to be in control or even to protect from satan. To think we know more or can do better is not wise [by the ordinance of man].
Let us trust God of the universe .Who is all knowing and all in all. To let the Spirit lead by the grace of God in a grope of people.
Is to let go of self and our own ideas or what we thought and were always been told. To humble ourselves before God and trust He will guide in a far better way than man can think.
All for the purpose to grow the bride the church.
It is so important to stop trying to control situations. God constantly reminds me He is the one in control and I inhibit Him when I keep trying to do things my way instead of His. Thanks for the reminder.
what an ever-relevant reminder, melissa. thanks so much for sharing. reminds me of an experience i shared on my blog this summer about a struggling tomato plant that a friend gave our family. it was such a personal reminder from the Lord’s heart to mine that like our little tomato plant, He is indeed able to sustain me throughout the pain & traumas of life.
“when your hands are covered in dirt, the parables of the rocky soil take on a whole new meaning” — absolutely!
I love stories like these, Tanya. Here’s to more dirty hands. 🙂
Reminds me of a section early on in Jesus – A Theography where Frank talks about gardening and how it is good for us for multiple reasons.
Thanks for that reminder, Greg. Frank’s book is on the top of my to read pile!