The very first reason that farmers plough is to accomplish deeper seed level for efficient growth. They are breaking up the ground to the 'right' depth for the seeds. It's long, hard work that can be messy and dirty.
Ploughing in the Spiritual realm feels much the same. We must break up hard, dry soil, preparing it in a new way. We need to prepare the 'ground' for HOPE to enter in! A disc plough lends itself very well to dry, hard ground. It can also easily move over stones.
In the Spiritual realm we need the disc plough of Truth to break up unbelief and apathy, removing stones that contribute to unbelief. This kind of ploughing in the Spiritual realm can be hard work, requiring faith in what is yet unseen in others' lives and healthy, intentional persistence in ways we plough into lives. We must be faithful in ploughing to the best of our abilities.
Another advantage to ploughing is it adds more hummus and fertility to the soil by covering vegetation and minerals. Hummus is sponge like and can absorb water.
In the Spiritual realm we need to be about the service of creating a great hunger and thirst in people's lives. Believe me, people ARE thirsty for a better way of living. How we choose to live in community with our Neighbors in Need can create that thirst . . . Live in such a way that people are compelled to ask questions! Nourish a thirst.
Another important advantage of ploughing is that it destroys unwanted weeds. In the Spiritual realm, this would mean destroying unwanted untruths. We each can be inclined to believe things that are inaccurate, based on our experiences, our childhoods, trauma, the news, carelessly spoken words . . . and the list is endless . . . and then fear comes in and self protection right behind fear. Relational distance is created . . . to be safe.
Unwanted weeds of lies and inaccurate beliefs need to be ploughed up. We have a great 'tool' for this. Scripture. The Truth. "Be transformed by the renewing of your mind . . . "
Still another advantage of ploughing is that it gives the soil the condition to breathe easily and air can pass through the soil.
Naturally, in the Spiritual realm, this would be the Holy Spirit . . . moving when, where and how it brings glory to God. This is a good thing to remember, as sometimes planted seeds are in a 'state of being dormant.' There is a 'complex combination of water, light, temperature, gasses, mechanical restrictions, seed coats and hormone structures' that all 'need to come into play' for seeds to grow.
The same is true of all of us. We are each complex. God designed us uniquely. God knows when everything is just right for particular 'planted seeds' to grow within us and our Neighbors in Need.
We can and should be about the harvest. Ploughing, preparing, watering . . . doing all we are asked to do as beloved children of God . . . to make way for others to come into fruition, even as we too are in need of being ploughed for greater harvest, sweeter crops. Let there be abundance in the fields of the Lord!
Ploughing in the Spiritual realm feels much the same. We must break up hard, dry soil, preparing it in a new way. We need to prepare the 'ground' for HOPE to enter in! A disc plough lends itself very well to dry, hard ground. It can also easily move over stones.
In the Spiritual realm we need the disc plough of Truth to break up unbelief and apathy, removing stones that contribute to unbelief. This kind of ploughing in the Spiritual realm can be hard work, requiring faith in what is yet unseen in others' lives and healthy, intentional persistence in ways we plough into lives. We must be faithful in ploughing to the best of our abilities.
Another advantage to ploughing is it adds more hummus and fertility to the soil by covering vegetation and minerals. Hummus is sponge like and can absorb water.
In the Spiritual realm we need to be about the service of creating a great hunger and thirst in people's lives. Believe me, people ARE thirsty for a better way of living. How we choose to live in community with our Neighbors in Need can create that thirst . . . Live in such a way that people are compelled to ask questions! Nourish a thirst.
Another important advantage of ploughing is that it destroys unwanted weeds. In the Spiritual realm, this would mean destroying unwanted untruths. We each can be inclined to believe things that are inaccurate, based on our experiences, our childhoods, trauma, the news, carelessly spoken words . . . and the list is endless . . . and then fear comes in and self protection right behind fear. Relational distance is created . . . to be safe.
Unwanted weeds of lies and inaccurate beliefs need to be ploughed up. We have a great 'tool' for this. Scripture. The Truth. "Be transformed by the renewing of your mind . . . "
Still another advantage of ploughing is that it gives the soil the condition to breathe easily and air can pass through the soil.
Naturally, in the Spiritual realm, this would be the Holy Spirit . . . moving when, where and how it brings glory to God. This is a good thing to remember, as sometimes planted seeds are in a 'state of being dormant.' There is a 'complex combination of water, light, temperature, gasses, mechanical restrictions, seed coats and hormone structures' that all 'need to come into play' for seeds to grow.
The same is true of all of us. We are each complex. God designed us uniquely. God knows when everything is just right for particular 'planted seeds' to grow within us and our Neighbors in Need.
We can and should be about the harvest. Ploughing, preparing, watering . . . doing all we are asked to do as beloved children of God . . . to make way for others to come into fruition, even as we too are in need of being ploughed for greater harvest, sweeter crops. Let there be abundance in the fields of the Lord!