Grounded
When getting dirty isn't a bad thing.
Isn’t it interesting how the more technologically advanced we become, the more we think we don’t need the basics? Or, maybe, we think we can do it better. Take sunshine, for example. If people spend all of their time indoors and do not take a walk outside, eventually they will need a vitamin D supplement to give them at least part of what they are lacking. Then, in thinking about our drinking water, we should realize all of the energy drinks in the world cannot take the place of water. Overall, it’s easy to take air, water and soil for granted (ask someone who lives in Palestine, Ohio). It is no secret that toxic air, water or soil will eventually make people really sick.
My planting season (seed starting) starts the same every year. I’m always looking for more soil. Sure, the lighting is important. Absolutely, the watering is essential. Yes, the picking through packets of the seeds is exciting and necessary. But, nothing needs more of my time and attention than that of the soil (the dirt…compost…worm castings). After finding and combining what I need, I know I can then pick out the seeds, think about my gardens/containers/harvesting and so on.
Did you know that one inch of topsoil can take several hundred years or more to develop? It is a limited and an ultra important resource for sure, even though we often make light of it, deplete it or don’t think we really need it (see Soil Basics). It’s fascinating to think that everything a seed needs, it can find in the dirt!
In scripture, the concept of “dirt” is discussed in Luke 8:11-15. In this parable, WE are actually the dirt! We can be rocky soil, shallow soil or thorny soil. Most importantly, we can be good soil. In fact, if we we purpose to be GOOD dirt, we will receive that which God has for us, and it will bear fruit (or vegetables)! Ultimately, we can nurture an outcome or purpose that glorifies God.
However, to have or BE that kind of dirt we have to break up the soil, add nutrients to it, water it, meditate on what we are hearing God speak and speak it ourselves. No easy task of course, it takes time. It takes giving of ourselves to be more like Jesus. Truth be told, it takes a lifetime to become perfect soil. But the work is worth it! We receive back in a multitude of ways, just like we receive abundance from a garden. It is truly by grace we are saved (Ephesians 4), but soil without time and effort to make it fertile, is like faith without works (James 4:24).
One day a group of scientists got together and decided that man had come a long way and no longer needed God. So they picked one scientist to go and tell Him that they were done with Him.
The scientist walked up to God and said, "God, we've decided that we no longer need You. We're at the point that we can clone people and do many miraculous things, we don't need you here anymore, you can go your way."
God said, "Very well, how about this? Let's say we have a man-making contest."
To which the scientist replied, "Okay, great!"
But God added, "Now, we're going to do this just like I did back in the old days with Adam."
The scientist said, "Sure, no problem," and bent down and grabbed himself a handful of dirt.
God looked at him and said, "Oh no…You go get your own dirt!"
Ha! Couldn’t resist…
Over the winter, I like to dabble a bit in growing microgreens. People sometimes call them sprouts. This year, I’ve been into kohlrabi microgreens. (You can find the best varieties to grow here).
Microgreens can be grown a couple of ways..but interestingly enough, a person can actually grow them without soil. In themselves, they have the ability to sprout once they are soaked/watered. They can be sprouted or grown in a jar or on a tray. The sprouts growing in a jar basically just need to be rinsed and drained to get started. When the tiny tails come out, they are ready to eat. These live little buggers are pretty good and pretty nutritious. (You can read about my microgreens adventures here).
After a certain point, though, greens need dirt to produce fruit or seeds so that the cycle can continue. It is astounding to realize that everything we need starts with dirt. The seed, of course, really is perfect. But once that seed sprouts, it needs only what the dirt can provide. This process is where life starts and stops in the physical realm. We all have a connection to it. (This is why composting is so important for growing! You can read more about that in my blog).
I’d really like to encourage you, whether you like to garden or not, to try to pot one plant this spring. Or maybe make a mud mask? Either is a great opportunity to appreciate the miraculous soil around you and seriously help you become more grounded. Maybe it will help you get back to your “roots” (you didn’t actually think I’d leave you without a cheesy pun, did you?).
Stay free…AND dirty (in a good way)!
Chris