I’m not a gardener. The last time I did any landscaping was 5+ years
ago, but this was our task the other day here at the Tree of Life
Orphanage in Thailand.
Our team was tired from working hard in the hotness that is naturally
Thailand. I was trying to get the job completed as quickly as possible
in order to enjoy a restful drink of water. My mind was bouncing in
many directions trying to find a “happy place” and the Lord quickly
pulled me in His direction. First I was humbled as He reminded me that
He is the Gardner for our lives. Seriously, this takes a lot of work, a
lot of dirt God has to get His hands into, a lot of tearing down in
order to allow something beautiful to grow, a lot of weeds…I’ve been
underestimating God’s role in my life as He’s helping me grow everyday.
Listen! The Lord is not too weak to
serve you, and He is not becoming deaf. He can hear you when you call.
But there is a problem – your sins have cut you off from God. Because
of your sin, He has turned away and will not listen anymore. Isaiah
59:1,2
Over the past few days I’ve been calling out to the Lord just to
hear His voice, to crave His direction, to lead me. There I stood the
other day sweaty and tired with my hands covered in dirt. He is working
on me! His hands are getting dirty on my behalf. He’s revealing my sin
and cleaning out my past, my pride, my independence, my impatient
attitude.
So humble yourselves before God.
Resist the Devil, and he will flee from you. Draw close to God, and God
will draw close to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, purify your
hearts, you hypocrites. Let there be tears for the wrong thing you have
done. Let there be sorrow and deep grief. Let there be sadness instead
of laughter, and gloom instead of joy. When you bow down before the
Lord and submit your dependence on Him, He will lift you up and give
you honor. James 4:7-10
