Cultivate these things. Immerse yourself in them. The people will all see you mature right before their eyes! I Timothy 4:15 (TM)

Wendy and I drove to Chicago last night. This is one of my favorite times of the year as the crops turn a golden brown against the brilliant green turf of the hills and pastures. There were combines out harvesting as the sun went down on a beautiful autumn evening.

God uses the metaphor of agriculture  over and over and over. The land God created is woven with His character. It’s virtually impossible to work the land or watch it worked year after year without learning eternal lessons. If you’re going to grow something, you have to cultivate ("to promote or improve growth of – by labor and attention" – Dictionary.com) it. A crop of corn, our spirits – they both require cultivation if they are to grow and produce a bushel-busting harvest.

What am I doing to cultivate my spiritual growth?

Creative Commons photo courtesy of Flickr and ellievanhoutte