Adventures in Gardening ~ Thorns

"For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the freedom and glory of the children of God." Romans 8:20-21

Maggie and I continue digging in our dirt. We haven't planted yet, we're still removing large amounts of grass and rocks from the soil. Hopefully this week we'll add lime and fertilizer and then the seeds will go into the ground!

I was reminded yesterday, as the sun beat down on my neck and droplets formed at my temples, that gardening is done in a fallen world. The curse of sin is seen so clearly as we fight weeds and thorns to grow good things from the ground. It isn't without sweating and getting dirty that good food is grown.

That's true of spiritual gardening as well. Life is lived in a fallen 'garden', truth is often choked out by lies. Healthy relationships don't grow without the hard work of cultivation.

In this world there will always be weeds and thorns, rocky ground, hard soil, bad weather. Right expectations are so important to avoid discouragement and defeat. We, as believers, are not what we will be, the church is not the pure bride she's becoming, this earth is not free of the curse, yet. The day will come when everything in heaven and earth will be made right, the curse will be lifted, the dragon slain. But not today. Today we toil under the curse. Today we cultivate rocky ground. Today we live under the shadow of death.

"But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, where righteousness dwells. So then, dear friends, since you are looking forward to this, make every effort to be found spotless, blameless and at peace with him." 2 Peter 3:13

Today as we do the hard work of toiling, physically and spiritually, under the curse of sin, let's remember what we look forward to. A home of righteousness and peace! Every golden day overshadowed by a rain cloud, every walk through the dark valley brightened by a surprising ray of sunshine reminds us of the hope of a better day, of the world we were made to live in! We're going home.