Gardening Show
16 For where jealousy and faction are, there is confusion and every vile deed. 17 But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, easy to be entreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without variance, without hypocrisy. 18 And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace for them that make peace.
James 3:16-18 (ASV)
AM radio, at least down here in Texas, is very different on Saturdays than it is during the week. Almost every station has a gardening show, where they are talking about where to plant this at just the right time and how to treat this particular symptom with just the correct chemical or nutrient. I’ll admit, I have yet to listen to more than a few minutes of any of these shows, but I’ll also have to admit that my reputation as a gardener hasn’t been something that has concerned me all that much. I mean, how hard can it be? Just dig a hole, put the seed or already grown plant in the hole, soak it with water, and shazaam!- you have a lovely garden, right? Well, apparently not. There is much that is built in to the potential of the seed. It is indeed waiting for the right environment and the right nutrients, but in order to actually produce healthy fruit, it is going to require just the right understanding and care- hence the hours of talk time devoted to this end on Saturdays. There may be a need for shade, protection from hungry animals and insects, and removal of the weeds that are competing for its resources. Especially when young, the plant will require just the right environment in order to grow to a producing maturity.
There is wisdom being presented on a continual basis that is quite often disregarded while other more interesting subjects are selected. I mean, how hard can it be after all, this way of life in Christ? Don’t tell me I have to take the time to discover just how much care is necessary if any fruit is to be expected. I’ll just do what I think is right, you know, dig a hole, put the seed in, pour some water and be done with it while I tend to more important matters like who said what to who and how that made me feel.
There is a great potential for righteous fruit production in the seed we’ve been given in Christ. There is something very unique and special about this seed, though, that might require a discussion about its required environment. It is a ‘peace’ seed that doesn’t survive in an atmosphere of jealousy and strife, but requires the water of the Spirit and the removal of all weeds of discourse that would deprive it of its nutrients. To press on towards any expectation of abundance apart from the care of this peace seed is to engage in a wisdom that cannot produce any fruit, but only sickly, empty branches. Rather than switching over to more ‘juicy’ subjects, it will be way more than worth the moments spent tuned in to the wisdom that comes from above, and allowing the words spoken there to transform our gardening life. In peace the fruit is sure to be sweet.