Since you have been born again, not of perishable seed but of imperishable, through the living and abiding word of God, for “All flesh is like grass and all its glory like the flower of grass. The grass withers, and the flower falls, but the word of the Lord remains forever.” And this word is the good news that was preached to you. (1 Peter 1:23-25, ESV)
April has not been a friendly month for the north. While the sunbelt enjoys blue skies and green fairways, we have watched the snow gather, the rains pelt the windows, the wind howl, and the sun play hide and seek behind grey clouds. Golf courses and golfers are anxious to play.
While I long for the new life to bloom out of the frozen ground again, I am not ready to do the work (trimming, gathering leaves, spreading mulch, edging grass) that allows that life to spring forth. I will do it because I know the ground needs to be prepared so the seeds hiding underneath can thrive. It’s a reoccurring season that always needs attention and care.
When a seed is planted, it takes in nourishment from the soil around it. Over time, the roots gain strength and grow. Out of the frozen earth, the potential of the seed emerges as a beautiful miracle.
When we choose to follow Jesus, the imperishable seed of the Holy Spirit takes root inside us. However, it cannot be left unattended. We are to join God in his gardening process. The soil of our hearts needs to be tilled, watered, and weeded—through all seasons. The Bible is the shell that contains the nourishment our imperishable seed needs. Every word ingested has the ability to produce life, growth, and little miracles. It also prunes and trims, a painful process that makes room for more good fruit to flourish.
When I travel to the lands of the Bible with Pastor George DeJong, he always challenges us to get the Word of God “in our bones.” This means that the Word must become one with my life, the substance that nourishes my heart, thoughts, emotions, and life actions. As the imperishable seed expands inside me, it begins to break open and I experience God’s promises of love, mercy, and grace.
As the Word takes root and strengthens within me, it expands my capacity to sow love, mercy, and grace into another person’s life. At the same time, weeds (anger, unforgiveness, resentment, bitterness, etc.) attempt to creep in and try to suffocate my growing seed. When these weeds go unattended, my relationships suffer, my selfishness takes over, and I start looking for nourishment apart from Jesus.
Tending to the gardens of our soul is an everyday necessity. The work is labor intensive and will require some pruning and pain. The miracles that emerge as the imperishable seed embeds into our bones are God’s fragrance to the world.
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Tracy Hanson
April 26, 2018
Copyright 2018 Links Players International
The Links Daily Devotional appears Monday-Friday at www.linksplayers.com.