Reflecting the Character of God in our Work
Sometimes it is tempting to think that working in our gardens or fields isn’t that important compared to reading our Bibles or going to church or praying. It can seem like we aren’t really being involved in ministry or helping spread the Kingdom of God. But our fields and how we care for them send a clear message, and if we recognize and take advantage of it God can use it to impact other people.
There was a quote I heard several years ago when I was in Zimbabwe: “You can tell the state of a man’s heart by the way his field looks.” I remember thinking at the time, “Ouch! Often my garden is brutally honest about the state of my heart.”
This same principle is seen in places like Proverbs 24:30-31, “I went past the field of the sluggard, past the vineyard of the man who lacks judgment; thorns had come up everywhere, the ground was covered with weeds, and the stone wall was in ruins.”
Not only do our fields show our heart, but apparently the care of our animals too: “A righteous man cares for the needs of his animal, but the kindest acts of the wicked are cruel.” Proverbs 12:10
So why is this so important?
I would like to suggest that our gardens, fields and farms are places where we have an opportunity to show the heart and character of God to others though the work we do. But at the same time they are also places where we can bring discredit to God if we poorly represent who He is.
What do our farms communicate about the God we claim to serve? Do they represent his kindness, wisdom, forgiveness, care, creativity, grace, and beauty? Or do they reflect the opposite of these things?
Our Gardens: A Battle Ground
Just this morning I was thinking about how my farm work today is a battle ground. The reputation of God is on the line whether I am weeding, mowing the grass, planting seeds, or moving sheep (all of which is on my list today!). Since Satan has something to gain through my unfaithfulness I can be sure he will be taking every opportunity to distract, discourage, and tempt me to act on what my flesh wants, rather than choose what I know is right. I need to to start each day remembering what Paul said to the Corinthians, “Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be men of courage; be strong. Do everything in love.” (1 Cor. 16:13,14)
Discipleship in the Garden
It may seem like a waste of time to be weeding garlic or mulching paths in our gardens when there are people around the world that need to hear the message about Jesus. But God showed me a few years ago that he can use my faithfulness in even these seemingly mundane tasks. I had been working in my garden when a friend of mine brought a Muslim friend of his to see what I was doing. I shared some about what I was growing, how I was growing it, and how it was connected to my faith in God and expressing my love for Him. I didn’t think much of it at the time and actually almost forgot about the interaction. But about a year later this same Muslim friend (who is now a friend of ours) came to my sister’s wedding. I had a chance to chat with him some and he told me how much he loved our family, farm and the way we live for God in what we do. He said that when he went back to visit his family in the middle east (in a very wealthy country closed to Christian mission work) he told them about our farm and some of the things I shared with him during our garden tour. He dramatically explained how his family had all grown quiet, asking “What is this? Tell us about this!”
As far as I know neither my Muslim friend nor any of his family have come to faith in Christ yet. But I believe God was showing me how my faithfulness to garden for Him enabled some of his truth and light to shine in places that it would almost be impossible for me to reach even if I was a ‘vocational’ missionary. My garden was communicating a message that reached around the world. It is through our obedience even in little things that God provides opportunities for the seeds of the Gospel to be sown. And I am confident that they will not return void.
So what message is your garden sharing? What is one thing you could do today to better reflect the heart of Jesus on your farm?
Noah, we so love following your journey and hearing your words of wisdom about your gardening for God. He has blessed us so much in our gardens with such a lovely mixture of beauty and nourishment. There are no words for how thankful we are, but, it is truly our lives. It takes a lot of time to care for and each day we pray that we can be good stewards of His land. he gives us the strength and the direction. I do believe our gardening shows His love and again, He directs… passers by often stop and ask to walk through and it is always our opening for giving Him the glory! This morning, gardenias are filling the air, fruit and vegetables are in abundance and it all reflects His great love. We are so thankful and so blessed and know that it is truly His hands and we are the servants. Thank you Noah 🐝🙏🥑
Thank you for the kind words! God is truly good and I am so glad to see you appreciating him and showing love to him through your garden. Keep it up!
Wow! This post stopped me in my tracks and renewed my spirit! God is so good when we talk to Him and ask for his guidance. I’m so glad he directed me to you
So glad you are part of the community! Thanks for the encouragement.
I was out gathering goji berries, thanking Him again. I realized I never posted about our hearts as I get swept up in our gratitude. This song (united pursuit I believe) says it all, oh… how we love Him and I pray that it shows.
Father, you love us without measure. Savior, you lead us to life
Spirit, you teach us to listen, to laugh, to love, to cry and we feel this ache inside
Jesus, oh how we love you. Jesus, oh how we love you
There’s no other we desire. There’s no other we desire – thousands of songs have been sung, stories of loss and of love, we can’t deny this aching desire to respond.
Abba, oh how we love you. You’re our hope and you are our refuge.
Amen
Amen!
Hi Noah. I really appreciate your heart for God.
Recently, I have been on my knees clearing the new crop of Spring weeds from the vegetable garden and wildflower meadow and reflected. You cannot be a gardener without being humble. God gives grace to the humble, and His grace poured out to me with a hearty appetite. Lunch and dinner never tasted so good and water was so refreshing. Additionally, I noticed His hand in germinating vegetable seeds and in creating glorious tiny wildflowers that would otherwise be overlooked. Moreover, I received much needed sunshine and fresh air. The work was exhausting, but my soul was brought nearer to God, giving me new-found energy for Him.
May God continue to bless you and your family.
Neal
Wow. Taste and see that the Lord is good! I love what you pointed out about the humbling aspect of gardening and farming. Thanks Mr. Neal!
Noah, thanks for writing these letters. They are very encouraging to this old gardener. As I get older I find it more difficult to keep our place up to the standard of beauty and order we desire. I’m simplifying our operation and cleaning things up. Your kind words spur me on!
Thank you for YOUR kind words Mr. Jack. This is a battle that doesn’t ever go away I think. Thanks for your example of faithfulness in the fight!
Noah,
Thank you for your book and this blog. I appreciate them both.
As a pastor of two small country churches, and having obligations to parents and my mother-in-law to care for them, time is precious. I often do not get out to tend my garden as I should. I am often ashamed that I have planted more than I can actually tend to and find that weeds are too abundant. Yet in all of that, I learn about myself. Thus it is a blessing.
I pray that we all have an abundantly fruitful year, both in the garden and in our hearts.
I am encouraged to hear about your ministry! Thanks for your honesty. I find gardening to be a very humbling undertaking, which is good for the heart for sure!