Manure in the Garden of Life

Several years ago I was sitting at the kitchen table of a sister in Christ and we were chatting aimlessly about this and that and whatever came up.  We found our conversation turned to the age old question that haunts young children and echoes in the heart of every adult - WHY?  WHY does this or that happen in my life? Why is life so messy and innocent people suffer and wickedness seems to go unpunished and....

WHY - WHY - WHY - WHY ? ? ? ?

I don't know.  One day, when we get to heaven, we can ask the Maker of all things, if we even still need to.

What I have observed is that we are very much like plants in a garden.  Rich soil is key to cultivating the best from the plants we are trying to grow.  I remember each spring for a certain season of time, helping my grandfather shovel stinky manure from the back of his station wagon onto his garden.  Months later we enjoyed the fruits of that unpleasant labor in the form of carrots (my favorite) and tomatoes and cucumbers and many other vegetables along with beautiful flowers to decorate our dinner tables.

I've observed that life can be pretty messy and thanks to sin is filled with - - MANURE.  Manure is made up of the trials and tribulations, heartache and consequence of poor decisions in our lives.  We can rot in the stink of it or try to pretend it doesn't really smell at all.  Or we can acknowledge it and turn it over to the only ONE who can take that manure in our lives and by working all things together for GOOD, turn the negative and painful into a blessing.

Each one of us has diverse need as we are all wonderfully and fearfully made (Psalm 139) by an infinitely creative God who gives each of us individual character and personality, just as plants are different.

• certain plants thrive in certain types of soils and climates
• some plants thrive in sun, some in shade
• different plants have different purposes, some bloom with beautiful flowers, some bear fruit for food, some just leaves for shade, some are useful in healing, some are poisonous
• plants process light and water differently to accomplish the purpose they were designed to serve

So it is with people in the Body of Christ, we all have a different but uniformly necessary purpose. 

 Romans 12 : 3-5 For I say through the grace given to me that every man that is among you not to think more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly according as God has dealt to every man the measure of faith.  For as we have many members in one body and all the members have not the same office; so we, being many, are one body in Christ and every one members of one another.

The one True God, Almighty Maker and Creator, made each of His creations uniquely with a specific purpose according to His perfect plan.  Though we are all part of the same Body we all have different things to contribute to the good of that Body and so we must pursue the gifts and talents God has called us to. But like plants in a garden, we have need of  ingredients in order to grow and realize our fullest potential which God has provided for us:

      SON - supplying what nothing else is able- ETERNAL LIFE

      WATER – the power of the Holy Spirit that refreshes us

      ROCKS - for irrigation and cleaning purposes, as the Blood of Christ cleanses us  (did you know that the very act of water rushing over rocks in a river is what cleans that water and makes it taste so fresh and good? )

Due to sin, the soil of the garden is compromised and unfortunately comes with some unwanted ingredients:

WEEDS – that suck up the nutrients and choke the good plants, while providing no benefit

BUGS – which feed on plants making them sickly and weak or killing them altogether

Just as plants need good strong ROOTS in order to grow and thrive, so we need a strong foundation of roots founded in FAITH.  Just as the roots gather the nutrients, the sustenance the plant needs, so faith provides us the sustenance for growth.  We grow our faith when we read Gods Holy Word and apply those principle's to our everyday lives.   A weak root system will cause:

• Discouragement
• Depression
• Anger
• Fear 
• Giving up and quitting on our lives

Strength comes from dealing with adversity, having to struggle a little to gain water and nourishment.  Pushing through the very soil that feeds it and fighting to provide water and nutrients to it's branches and leaves is what causes the root system to grow STRONG.  Without a strong root system, the plant will lack and fail to flourish and wither and die without ever producing the beautiful bloom or juicy sweet fruit God intended.  So it is with us that dealing with adversity in our lives brings about strength when we do so according to Gods commands and not our own ways!

Cultivating good soil begins with cultivating a healthy, vibrant relationship with Jesus Christ.  Recognizing that we are sinners, we repent - turn away from our sin, ask for and RECEIVE forgiveness because of the sacrifice Jesus made, giving His life in exchange for your life and mine, when He allowed Himself to be crucified on a cross over 2000 years ago.  We cannot avoid the manure of life or the stench of it, but we can trust that in the hands of a Holy God who Loves us, it will be used it to strengthen us so that we become MORE THAN CONQUERORS THROUGH HIM!  Obedience to Him provides what we need to overcome the attacks of WEEDS and BUGS in our lives and grow as healthy, thriving Christians.

Don't despise the manure in your garden of life, but don't wallow in it or use it as an excuse, either.  Instead, let God have His way in the soil of your life.  Our gracious Savior takes our mess, all the manure of our past, and He turns it into FERTILIZER that benefits us, strengthens us and I am so thankful it provides the rich environment needed to bear fruit to His glory so that instead of just remaining a stinky mess!  I am so thankful when I called upon the name of Jesus, I was healed and delivered and He gave a testimony I can share to encourage others!  Manure isn't pleasant and we'd all prefer not having any in our lives, but isn't it great to know that since we've all got it, God is able to take it and make something beautiful from it?

We welcome your comments and honor all prayer requests.  Click on "comment" below this post to add your testimony and share your story!  Know someone who could use some encouragement about the manure in their lives?  Please share this post with them!  May Gods grace abound toward you in abundance as you surrender to Him!