Cultivating the Ground

Kelly at Generation Cedar has another wonderful post today, about DIRT. I love it!

DIRT is Deuteronomy 6 with flesh.

Disciple the soul.

This is relationship. Relationships are only built through time. "...when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, when you rise up."

Instruct the heart.

This is communication. A constant speaking of the things we ought to do. "You shall talk of them..."

Renew the mind.

This is transformation through the power of God's Word. This is reading Scripture, memorizing Scripture, posting Scripture, singing Scripture. "You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and gates."

Train the will.

This is forming habits. Habits will be formed by the constant practice of the three things above. The will is trained by the daily practice and reminding of what is right and good.

This is our job. It is full-time, constant, tedious, and marvelous. This is The Great Commission, making disciples of our children, equipping them to make disciples of others when they are fully trained.

By the way, don't you think it's neat that DIRT is also metaphorical in the sense that we are planting seeds, and they will only thrive to the degree that the DIRT is properly cultivated?

They will become disciples of something, of someone. We will still be responsible.

It reminds me of how much mention there is in scripture regarding growing things, cultivating the ground, good soil vs the alternatives, reaping and sowing, bearing fruit, withering away. In Psalm 128 there is a beautiful comparison of children to strong olive plants. Its incredible how many examples there are!

I don't know much about gardening, other than that in order to be successful, it requires many things:

• time
• attention
• purpose
  
• nurturing
  
• patience
• pulling away weeds

How much more do young souls need?! I pray that as a mother, I always keep in foresight my purpose and calling to these little ones the Lord has given me. I pray that their hearts may become fertile ground, in which the seeds of the gospel can be planted, take deep, strong root, and grow into a life and love that bears much fruit. It doesn't - it can't! - happen by accident, or while I'm busy living "my life". Mothering has to be intentional, purposeful, and sacrificial. The only way to cultivate the ground is to dig in and get dirty! It won't happen by standing on the sidelines.