Some things multiply in beauty when we put in a little extra work.
I was recently helping with a little yard work around my church. I find that most Southerners tend to be proficient with planting and growing things. For many of us, we had planting wisdom lovingly handed down to us from parents or even grandparents, and we love to share our growing experiences with each other.
We were all taking a short break and the conversation turned to irises. One man said he divided his every year and that he literally had hundreds growing in his yard. I could hear a gentle voice reminding me that I too, could have that many if I took the time to divide mine, but I haven’t in many years.
The main reason, is that they have to be divided in the fall. Well, in the fall, I’ve closed the door on planting until next spring. Sure, I may plant a few pansies, but I don’t think about what might be coming up in six months. I want to light fires and carve pumpkins in the fall, not dig up irises.
And because of my lack of attention to the digging, dividing and replanting, I’ve missed out on quite a show. It makes me wonder what other beauty I may be missing out on if I were willing to give a little bit more care and time.
Sometimes after a long season of working hard, I just get tired. Now, there’s nothing wrong with resting when we get tired. In fact, we should. When our own well gets empty, we have very little, if any, left to share with others. But, I unfortunately, am a creature of habit and the inertia rule is huge for me.
When I’m in motion, I tend to stay in motion, but when I’m at rest, I tend to stay at rest. So, when I get out of the groove of doing, it’s very difficult for me to get started again. Think, for example, an exercise routine. It’s so difficult to get started after I stop.
Have you found this to be true for you?
The same goes for spiritual discipline too. This can include everything from prayer time, to Bible reading time, to attending a Sunday school class, to attending worship services. Once we take a little time off, it’s often very difficult to get back to our routine. It’s just easier to sleep in, or watch tv, or play golf, or go to the lake.
But, how much beauty do we miss from being a part of a Christian community? How much strength and comfort do we miss from regular prayer time?
Thankfully, the law of inertia also states that when we an object is acted on by an unbalanced force that the state of motion or rest changes. The Holy Spirit is definitely a mighty force that can cause us to move or stop, whatever is needed for us at the moment.
The answer to spiritual inertia, of course, is prayer. When we are stressed and frazzled, we should pray. When we are lazy and sedentary, we should pray.
When we open our hearts to the Spirit’s leading, we will know when to rest or move and we will never miss out on the beauty.
Sometimes I need reminding. Perhaps you do too.
Have an awesome day!
Wendy 🙂