How can I possibly grow more “fruit” in my life without more hours in the day?
When I begin my day in good order, seeking God first before my own plans, things seem to streamline. What was overwhelming becomes manageable because things are put in their proper place of importance. This sense of order has changed my life. Order allows me to rise above chaos, rather than answering to it by attempting to control it. Order leads me to God's will. So many of us know this truth, but why don't we function like we know it?
Cuz we are in a hurry.
Our lifestyle can get pushy, loud, invasive, demanding and even kinda threatening. And now we are saying, “I don't have time” even when we know better. And this is how we find ourselves tangled up in the weeds of disorder.
At my stage of life, it's easy to fall into this trap. If I don't start the day seeking his order first, I will be off to the races before I even get out of bed; checking emails, scrolling social media, looking at my calendar… And that's all it takes to skew my day. Next thing I know, I am walking out the door on a mission to manage the chaotic list in my head, carrying every responsibility I can think of all at once, throwing solutions at problems while running full speed with an open cup of coffee (You've seen the memes). And we run until the head hits the pillow… or we collapse. Whichever comes first. My kids didn't get the best of me that day. My husband for sure got the worst of me, but all around, I was less than my best. And yet we still wake up tempted to do it again. The same buzz on the nightstand saying, "Do more to get better."
How many of us are surviving our life
rather than living it?
Maybe this is what happens when we are doing all that doing before we stop to consider what we are doing. Like a garden, we are made to be fruitful and multiply… to do purposeful work that grows good stuff. Well, we are multiplying alright, but what exactly are we multiplying? Unless we are careful, we will stumble into that senseless race every morning: “Do more to get better”.
Before we start chasing every lead, planting every seed available, maybe it's worth the time it takes to consult the Gardener? What if that time is worth the investment?
What if it will save hours in the end?
Growing something takes time, energy, focus and effort: whether that's a tree, a career, or a family. And if we are not working in good order, being intentional and attentive, dysfunction will take over like weeds in the flower beds: great. more to do. ugh… who can keep up?!
We need guidance, extra hands,
helpful wisdom, garden council.
Because sometimes our sensible solution turns out to be another unnecessary distraction. When we assume all “good seeds” are for our garden,
we end up multiplying too much-- creating more work to tend to.
Have you noticed how people are resorting to the old fashioned ways of life? The pure solutions and the slow processes, like eating from homegrown gardens and farms and baking homemade bread? There is something settling about these old tried and true things coming back around. Most people in my generation have never experienced these things. We are the spaghetti o's and white bread kids. Lean Cuisines in the microwave all college-long. Yet we are also discovering that the modernized “quick” foods have toxic roots, and we've sprouted the side effects to prove it. Fast fruit is not so good, but it sure will multiply. But if fast food produces nothing but bad health, maybe we are starting to see:
“doing more” isn't the way to be “better”.
But still, whether it's working the homestead or opening your Bible first thing each morning, these slow but effectual choices cost precious time that we just don't have.
How do we do this then? We are doers! It's not that we are unwilling. For many, the problem is: not knowing how to begin.
How do we establish the order we ultimately seek?
There are only so many hours in a day.
How do we find freedom from our midnight worries,
peace of mind when facing the unknown,
rest for our weary minds and sick bodies,
real joy, a sense of belonging, and purposeful success?
We tend to lean on our own abilities to get it all under control,
but the Bible makes it plain, and so does the garden:
“Doing more to get better” is a backwards order.
He said "be fruitful and multiply".
Not multiply and be fruitful.
Order matters.
Be inspired to seek the Gardener first thing, and see for yourself how far a little seed of faith will go.
Be still and know.
"Father, lead me to do your will for my life.
What would you have me tend to today?
Does my to-do list encourage good “fruit”
or distracting “weeds”?
You are a good Gardener.
I Trust you to lead me
to grow good fruit and multiply.
In Jesus name. Amen."
“Seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness and all this will be added.” Matthew 6:33
