February 23, 2007

Imagine we formed a garden club together and adopted the area around the church’s sign to beautify. Our first order of business would be to decide the scope of our project, the affect we wanted to accomplish and the best way to get our stated results.

At some point we would need to stop talking and do some work. If I had any input into the garden’s design there would be lots of color. The ground around the sign would need to be prepared. That most likely means shovels and soil amendments. We’d get in and grub out all the weeds.

We’d dig holes, install our plants and confirm the irrigation. We’d find relevance in God’s words to Adam, “All your life you will sweat to produce food.” We’d have to maintain our garden after planting. That would include weeding, pruning, pest control and watering.

Now if you joined our club we’d expect you to get dirty. That’s just part of gardening. We wouldn’t expect you to stay dirty. You should dress appropriately. (I’m regularly wishing I had changed into older clothes after I’ve done something in my yard.)

But if you showed up to work and primarily talked about staying clean, we’d begin to wonder whether or not you were really serious about planting and growing a garden.

If, in the life of the church, you’re concerned that we haven’t clarified where the ‘gloves’ and ‘showers’ are located, then you need to speak up. I hope, though, that you come prepared to ‘get dirty’ as we work together as gardeners for God’s kingdom.

“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, for he has appointed me to preach Good News to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim that captives will be released, that the blind will see, that the downtrodden will be freed from their oppressors, and that the time of the Lord’s favor has come.” Luke 4:18-19

Rejoicing in hope,
Pastor Steve