series one/ post 5
So far, I’ve been able to share three of the valuable lessons my daughters and I gained as we worked in our first garden last year. I shared how passion and desire are a good place to start (post 2) and then went on to share some of the possible roadblocks or obstacles we can encounter along the way (post 3). Last week, I highlighted the importance of asking the experts (post 4), and this week I’ll be starting our third lesson, which emphasizes the benefits of using effective tools.
Whenever I think of gardening tools, in my mind I see pictures of rakes, shovels, buckets, a hose, gloves, etc. These kinds of tools are usually associated with gardening, but “a tool is really anything that can help make your life better by helping you do a job faster, easier, safer, or better.” (Zoe Coulcher of Defiance Tools) Some of the tools I am about to mention may not come to mind at first when thinking about gardening, but I think you will see how these tools can make the job easier, faster, and better. I believe they can be easily applied to other areas of life as well. I would also like to dig a little deeper and apply these tools in a way I think will be helpful for “planting” in the garden of our own hearts. Please keep in mind that this is not meant to be an exhaustive list. These are simply things the Father has shown me as a way of improving our efforts to complete our purpose and increase our impact. Here are a few important tools to consider:
#1 A plan
#2 A good location
#3 The right implements
#4 Commitment
I confess, I’ve been writing week by week and my original intent was to share this lesson on tools in two different posts. As I began writing, I discovered there is more to “unpack” on the spiritual application of these tools than I originally thought. I know it’s much easier for me to grasp a concept when I don’t feel overwhelmed by the amount of information, so I thought it best to share my insights on each tool separately over the next several weeks. (Although much of the information seems straightforward and logical, I would love to hear how a particular tool has impacted your spiritual journey. Simply add a comment below at the end of this post.) Gathering our tools starts with creating a plan.
A Plan
A plan acts much like a roadmap. A plan allows you to draw out where you want to go, check your progress along the way, and make sure you stick to the plan, so you arrive precisely where you intended. “A good plan is characterized by well-defined, realistic, and achievable goals; clear strategies and action steps; ongoing evaluation and review process; and a focus on both the past and the future.” (Google AI overview) This means that specific goals, clear actions, continuous review, and consideration of past and future in making plans are all important. Unfortunately, we provided a poor example of what to do when we began our garden. It seemed like our only goal was simply to have one. Our actions were limited to making sure the plants were watered, and though we attempted to evaluate our plants on a continuous basis, there were days we missed. Because of our limited planning, we didn’t always know how to follow through. We also didn’t take into consideration our past experience (that we had none) or how our experience at that time would inform our future. If we had taken more time in creating a plan we would have gotten better results.
I don’t know why it seems we give much more thought to creating a plan when it involves things of temporary value like gardens, vacations, and budgets. As important as those things are to plan for, they are not of enduring significance. I’ll admit, with things concerning spiritual significance, I tend to go with the flow more than I should. The Father has been speaking to my heart about the need to change this mindset and give things with eternal significance more of a priority by creating a plan, so I can be more intentional and purposeful. When it comes to friendships and connections, I really don’t like to burn bridges. But there was a time when a particular friend had continually crossed boundaries, and I didn’t call her out on it. The Father had asked me to break ties with her as a way of protecting my heart (Proverbs 4:23), but I decided to just go with the flow. It eventually resulted in a huge fiasco. Looking back on that experience, I wish I had been obedient and stuck to the plan for protecting my heart. Things may have turned out differently had I done so, and I could have spared myself the painful consequences.
In the spiritual realm, the plan for life is found in the Word, your Bible. Just like in the natural world where a plan acts as a roadmap, the same is true for the Word. It acts as a roadmap for life: it shows where to go, helps check progress along the way, helps avoid missing the narrow path, and helps us remain purposeful and faithful to the end. The Word reveals the Father’s heart and His plan from the beginning to the end. From Genesis to Revelation, we are taken on a journey through the ages because it tells “His” + “Story.” My husband likes to joke that’s why it’ called “history.” We can read how things began, how they fell apart, and how He works all things for good. Plus, we read how the Father continually uses regular, imperfect human beings to bring His plans to fruition and reveal His heart for complete redemption and restoration.
The Word is useful as a roadmap (a plan) because it gives us directions on how to stay on the right path. These directions are included within the principles found inside its pages. These principles for living are included in the life stories we read about and the examples they create for us to use on our own journeys. Principles from the Word are permeated with the wisdom found throughout its many pages. These principles show there is a right and a wrong path and help create a plan for keeping us on the right path. 2 Timothy 3:16 reminds us that the Word is divinely given and reveals some of the important principles we can find within. “All Scripture is God-breathed [given by divine inspiration] and is profitable for instruction, for conviction [of sin], for correction [of error and restoration to obedience], for training in righteousness [learning to live in conformity to God’s will, both publicly and privately—behaving honorably with personal integrity and moral courage];” I would like to share a little about each principle so you can see the value of incorporating them into your plan.
Instruction:
Some basic instructions given by the Father are outlined in Exodus chapter 20:2-17. You may know them better as the Ten Commandments. I always wondered as a child at why there were so many “thou shalt nots.” As a child, I didn’t like the word “no,” and I still struggle with the word. I am completely fine saying “no” to dessert, but the minute you tell me I can’t have it, it seems like I want it even more. Now that I am an adult and have become a mom myself, I understand that the ten commandments were not given as a big list of things I can’t do as a means of tormenting me. If I change my perspective and view it as a list of healthy (and good) boundaries set in place by a loving Father, who does not wish to see me (His child) suffer, I can accept them as provision for my safety and well-being. The real intention of each instruction is to avoid painful, costly consequences.
Conviction:
Galatians 5:19 & 24 “Now the practices of the sinful nature are clearly evident…and those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature together with its passions and appetites.” Verses 19-21 go on to list all the practices of the sinful nature if you would like to read them all. The list is quite lengthy, but it is included in the Scripture as a way of clearly identifying sin. There is no better way of knowing if I am in sin than to read all about it in black and white. This way I’m not mistaken. I often confuse “conviction” with “condemnation.” The Holy Spirit speaks with conviction so I can repent of my sin and make my heart right with the Father. The enemy speaks with condemnation, which usually masks itself in lies. The purpose of condemnation is to keep me separated from the Father with guilt and shame. If I want to remain connected to the Father with a clear conscious and pure heart, I will listen to His conviction and ignore enemy condemnation.
Correction:
I know as parents we try to provide correction for our children as a way of keeping them on the right path. The same is true of the Father with His children. He uses the Word as a tool for correction to make sure we stay on a safe (the right) path. Proverbs 3:12 reminds us “For those whom the Lord loves He corrects, even as a father corrects the son in whom he delights.” His correction is the result of love and is intended as a tool to restore us to obedience. When I am doing something wrong in a relationship, I want to know about it so I can make the necessary corrections and restore the relationship. One of my friends thought I was rude for quickly voicing my opinion about where our group of friends should go eat. It took her a little bit to confront me about it, but I am glad she did. It gave me the opportunity to explain myself, hear her suggestions on how to make others feel included, make my apology, take responsibility for my actions, and restore peace in our relationship. We need to learn to view correction as an opportunity to make things right. We embrace this concept at Great Clips (where I work). We especially thank the customers who are not satisfied with their haircut when they return for a correction. It allows us the opportunity to apologize and make things right, so they remain a customer. My hope is that we can see the value of correction in this way and view it as a positive thing.
Training in Righteousness:
I often use the Amplified Version (AMP) of the Word whenever I am studying as it gives me further understanding and insight into the original text. I love how the Amplified Version in 1 Timothy 3:16 offers insight into the meaning “training in righteousness” within the text. In this way, I can understand the concept much better. “Training in righteousness” means learning to live in conformity to God’s will, behaving honorably with integrity and courage, in private and in public. This concept is reiterated by one of C.S. Lewis’s famous quotes: “Integrity is doing the right thing even when no one is watching.”
I wonder about the younger generations of today. It seems like they no longer value this basic principle based on their actions or maybe we are failing to teach them. A few days ago, I was with my youngest daughter as a chaperone for an end of fifth grade year field trip. A group of middle school students were also there from another school. I was not impressed by their behavior. The lack of manners was off the charts. They were cutting in line, lying about cutting in line, and showing a lack of respect towards the employees working there and towards myself as an adult and parent. I understand that those claiming to follow a Christian world belief has decreased drastically in the last few decades, so not everyone choses to live in conformity to God’s will, but the lack of integrity and a basic moral right way of living I witnessed in those youth shocked me. It’s time to re-embrace using the Word as a plan and allow it to guide our daily routine and practices.
I love the way Google AI overview defines Biblical righteousness. “It involves living a life of integrity, holiness, and virtue in obedience to God’s commands. Essentially, it means being in a right relationship with God and with others.” Wow…talk about spiritual training in such a way as to leave that kind of impact! Another verse from First Timothy emphasizes the value of spiritual training like that of being trained in righteousness. “For physical training is of some value, but godliness (spiritual training) is of value in everything and in every way, since it holds promise for the present life and for the life to come.” (4:8) Again, we are reminded that the way we plan our lives creates an eternal impact and purpose.
From all that I have shared, I think you can see the value of creating a plan and how that translates into the spiritual realm with the Word becoming the plan. The Word is a powerful tool we shouldn’t ignore. It helps us use valuable principles found within its pages to create a plan for our life. “These valuable principles are conveyed primarily through various stories, parables, and commandments, allowing readers to understand and apply them to their lives.” (Google AI Overview) I’ve been challenged this past year to re-evaluate my own plan. I feel like I took a detour for a few years because I lost sight of the plan. Now that I have regained my focus, I feel more fulfilled and live with renewed purpose. I hope you find this information useful in creating or re-creating a plan that will have a lasting impact.
A good tool will help create lasting impact and purpose. The more we can add to our tool set, the better results we can achieve. A plan is an asset, as we have seen this week. Next week, I will share how finding a good location adds value to our tool set. It’s incredible how being in the right location can make all the difference. It encourages my heart to share with you. My husband and I like to say, “We are blessed to be a blessing.” I hope you are blessed by what you have read. I would love to hear what’s on your heart by posting a comment below.
Much love and blessings,
Tami
Songs that inspired me while writing:
-Jemery Camp “Word of Life”
https://youtu.be/Hjf278z1atY?si=d4FjbYWi0Wzb-iw6
-SCC “Glorious Unfolding”
https://youtu.be/GKMjEvF2Fkw?si=YtK2l_Reoql_XHZn
-Cody Carnes “Run to the Father”
https://youtu.be/HcpeLDp0Foo?si=rzZOgGg0qNU83j1c
-For King & Country “Fix My Eyes”
https://youtu.be/iXGuWHb5INk?si=fV4O7qbNHYUN17Ur
-Casting Crowns “Word of God Speak”
https://youtu.be/W8cJQMU9Q-U?si=xfjqVBr1dFe_66ib
Special note: Each song has spoken to my heart in a special way throughout my journey. Music has become a way in which the Father speaks life into my heart and soul, like a soothing balm (Zephaniah 3:17). I believe music is one of those “universal” languages Sometimes you simply can’t put things into words, but music helps express your heart in a way your head can wrap itself around.