Before planting a garden - even before spreading ashes for their nutritive benefits - it's important to turn the soil. That is, open up the surface so that the layers of soil underneath may be exposed to fresh air. It's best to do this when the soil has been softened. Not only does softened soil make it easier for the gardener to turn, but it allows for the greatest balance of air, sunlight, and moisture. After a long, hard winter, you can almost hear the soil sing a joyous chorus - it can finally breathe, finally soak in warmth and light, waiting expectantly to receive and nurture the glorious bulbs that will soon be planted within it.
Oh, how we are so like the soil! After a difficult season of sin and suffering, we have repented unto the Lord, and as a result, we are softened just enough that our hearts and souls may be stirred. Like the soil, our inner stirring does two things: it allows the toxins of anger, bitterness, pride, regret, and many other ills to be more easily released. And in their place, the freshness, light, and love of God is more easily absorbed. This is a delicate, but critical time for the garden of the soul. We are always more vulnerable when we are softened, but if we trust the expertise of the Master Gardener, then we can trust that our soul will be made richer and better prepared.
Turning soil can be hard work. Even though it's softened, it still requires effort to break through that first layer. After all, it has been exposed to the harshest of the elements. It does no good to simply rake the surface. You have to dig deep, finding and exposing those long-hidden layers. When all the layers have been turned and exposed, what's left is a clumpy, unattractive mess. Can such a raw, unkempt environment really be ideal for planting? Indeed, it's the only kind of environment that is.
It's a wondrous blessing to behold a Christ-follower on fire for the Lord and using all his or her gifts for His glory. But for me at least, nothing on earth is more beautiful than the person whose inner soil is being stirred by the Lord. The heart humbled by repentance is like a newborn baby - stunning, vulnerable, dependant on God for sustaining life, for feeding, for learning, for growing. But unlike a newborn baby, we can return to this softened state as often as is needed - and it's beautiful each and every time.
How do you know when God is stirring the soil of your soul? What do you feel? What do you see? How do you feel or see things differently? Please consider sharing your reflections here or on Facebook. It's challenging to put words to things that are felt, but such are the yummy ingredients of faith. As the body of Christ, only good can come from sharing and uplifting the raw, unkempt environment of the humble and expectant heart.
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