I’ve Gone to Seed

I’ve Gone to Seed

With each change in season, I become absolutely giddy.

Origin Giddy
Before 1000; Middle English gidy, Old English gidig mad (as variiant of *gydig), derivative of god God, presumably orig. “Possessed by a divine being.”

I feel this overpowering desire to be artistic and create something. My yard becomes my canvas. The local garden nursery provides the palette. Plants can be mixed and matched based on color, texture, height and breadth and even the types of insects/wildlife they attract or repel.

Some plants need a lot of room in order to spread and show their glory. Others work best as framers, highlighting the flowers put next to them. There are small delicate plants and there are thick, hardy ones. Some flower continuously while others have shining moments. There is also foliage that does not flower at all, but instead makes an impact just based on its presence. Also– get this– if you put a certain plant next to another, the smell omitted by one becomes a repellent of bugs that could have the potential of destroying the other plant.

To me, the garden becomes a drama played out everyday. It even has guest appearances by butterflies, ladybugs, hummingbirds, and what not. Each doing its part in ensuring a harmonious, complementive environment. It’s sweet. Every bit of it. From planning, to picking the plants, to planting. The whole process delights me. I know what to expect, I can see what blends well, and I can anticipate the changes and future needs.

However, there is a part of gardening I avoid. I mean, I detest it.

Planting seeds. Bleh.

They cause me anxiety.

They’re the unknown of the garden. In particular the packets that are filled with “Mixed Varieties”. Whoa. Too much mystery for me. Until they get to full size and bloom (despite what you see pictured on the packet) you have no idea what you are dealing with. What if there are colors that clash with the established flowers I already have? What if they are too tall? Weak? Aggressive and try to take over? These are legit concerns.

Besides, there is a whole science behind planting seeds (putting full grown plants in the ground is so much easier.)

Let’s have a Bill Nye moment…
*Each seed is an embryo of the plant it came from.
*Moisture +warmth triggers growth.
*The size of the seed + depth that it is sown determines how quickly it will sprout through the soil. The larger the seed = the more energy stored in it and so → Large seeds need to be sown deeper.
*Soil & light matter. Both are needed.
*With the right conditions, the plant in the seed will start the process of growth and will burst from it’s casing while simultaneously shooting down roots in search of nourishment. The plant’s head shoots up in search of light.
*It takes so long for a sampling to grow and start contributing to the atmosphere you have created. It must be protected, nourished and given room for it to become the plant it’s meant to be.

The whole thing frustrates me.

While all this is exactly how I feel about gardening, it is obviously a metaphor for our presence within a community. I wish I could say that I am represented by the gardener, but God was smart enough to not give me that kind of control. Nor am I the best smelling, most vibrant, unique and hardy plant that is established as the center focus by which all other plants are planted just to make me look good. Darn. However, I do have a place in the garden. There is unique purpose for me.

Sometimes I am planted in the most nutrient rich soil. Where I can see my purpose. My roots grow deep by listening to amazing, challenging teachings; others’ thoughts and visions permeate my innards with refreshment. In these times soaking in the presence of God is almost as tangible as letting a rain shower drench through my clothing. And the “flowers” around me (relationships)… wow… Not only do they complement me, but they also serve to protect me, encouraging my growth and culminating into an environment that invites people (the special guests) outside of the community to bring additional ideas, thoughts and teachings that will strengthen us all. When this setting is established, The Gardener is praised. It’s easy to praise Him. Everything is beautiful and well-connected. Growth is happening and harmony has been achieved. A luscious garden.

We all want this in a community; in a church. We want the best thoughts, worship and friendships that God has to offer. A harmony that allows each person to “blossom.” Unfortunately though, if you garden at all you know this is a season. It is an amazing, enriching, restful season– still just a season.

To every thing there is a season, and time to every purpose under the heaven….
Ecclesiastes 3:3

I imagine God gets giddy at the beginning of different seasons just as I do. Of course, unlike me He is able to have foreknowledge as to how everything will come together. He knows what environment is necessary to encourage the most growth. Sometimes, like the coffee plant, I need to be in a more “hostile” environment in order for me to struggle. This struggling will cause me to be less bitter and have more depth of flavor (think about that one– it’s deep). Maybe He feels preserving me where I am is the right place while major pruning has to happen. If I don’t continue to allow myself to be stripped of the “ugly” parts, then what use do I have?

Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit, He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit, He prunes it so that it may bear more fruit…
John 15:2

There is always the possibility, like a bulb, I am pulled away from all that I love and allowed to rest. Is this The Gardener being cruel? No, the opposite. He understands the season is changing and that I need to not struggle, but allow myself to naturally fade and be content until He is ready to plant me where I am needed.

Here is the hardest for me, and I am guessing you too. Sometimes, God will not transplant you to another place where you can grow even more, or be with other people that just fit perfect with you. He may not gently pull you away and let you rest. He may not even prune back the ugliness, or cause you to struggle to bring out the potential buried within. Sometimes He leaves you alone.

You feel like He is neglecting you.

You are left in a place that you loved a few months or years earlier. A place where you thrived, felt a part of something and had your moments to blossom. You were protected, cared for, and found it easy to praise your Maker. Now… not so much. All the aforementioned are now happening to your friends. People are being transplanted, repurposed, pruned and having times of forced rest. But not you. You sit. Waiting. God’s hand does not seem to be at work in your life. You feel like you have grown as much as you can (which we know is impossible) and you feel like your are, essentially, dying.

Perfect.
Exactly how God wants you.

you are going to seed.

You are ready to:
a. make disciples (Matthew 28:19)
&
b. instruct the youngers (Titus 2:3-5)

Making disciples is frustrating. The whole process is time-consuming and often feels ungratifying. (Remember the whole seed cycle?) As much as I like going to the local nursery and gathering all the established plants to make the most impactful garden, God does not work this way. He likes new growth, and He likes using us to achieve it. It means we have matured. That is a good thing.

I don’t know where you are in this garden of His. Are you a new seedling, just beginning to grow, or perhaps enjoying a time of blossoming, or maybe even in a time where God has pulled you out so that you can rest. Perhaps God is cutting away your sins, fears and lifeless attachments. Or He maybe has transplanted you to a new place and you are in a bit of shock. You may even be “going to seed.”

Whatever is happening now is for a season. And it is happening to everyone around you too. Bloom where you are planted. Know Our Gardener has the master design and that design is always good for your life and His glory. Lastly, praise Him. The sunny, growing, blossoming days are awesome, but there is purpose in all He does.