God In my Compost
I walked out to my yard about a month ago and noticed that the tomato plant was growing out of the side of the compost bin…nothing unusual mind you. So about a week later I noticed the corn popping up on the other side. (Just for clarity I need to mention that I have only once tried to grow corn and felt out of my element). But tomatoes are a constant in my garden. This year with the onslaught of rain and the high winds many of my plants were battered. But with my assistance they bucked up and most moved onto the fruiting stage. Still, they struggled and looked pale and I worried for their well being. I babied them a bit but then neglected them too when I went away. I also hate working in the garden in the heat which is when they needed me most. Consequently, most of my plants did ok but not as well as last year. Which is why the tomato plant blows me away. Literally, the only thing done for it was to put lawn chairs in front to protect it from the deer. But if you look at the picture below you can see the strength of its’ stem, the heartiness of its being…this is one plant. And look at the fruit! And the flowers…it wants to live in fullness. Which, of course, made me think of how God wants us too to live in fullness.
God, creator of all things, reminds me in my compost how the garbage in our own lives can bring fruit. Bringing to mind the Gospel verse of “though a grain of wheat fall to the ground and die, it is just a grain of wheat; but if it dies, it produces much fruit.” John 12:24 Now, we have gone into this before, this “dying to self,” the idea of trusting in the will of God and having faith and confidence that we will produce fruit. We have talked about being partners in that experience. Partnering with God by opening our hearts to what is asked of us. But today I want to talk about what God is doing within us when we aren’t even looking. Much like the corn and tomato plant in the compost pile, God is working to grow us in strength and confidence in his ultimate plan.
Look how beautiful it is, how rich and green and strong. This is what is happening to each of us even through the garbage we carry. It is vital we acknowledge the roll of our own personal compost. Our compost can inform us in a way nothing else can. And lest we think that because we have “chosen” Jesus and the compost no longer exists, I want to give fair warning, we are commanded to look into our own hearts and and face our own darkness. Without the truth of our own hearts we are not in full relationship with Christ. Unless we see the dark as well as the light that is part of us we cannot fully love the person that we are and we cannot fully accept Jesus. Because Jesus knows it, and holding back is futile and self serving.
But, fear not, for in your compost as in mine, lies the Heart of All Creation.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/rev-james-martin-sj/the-saints-were-as-strang_b_776358.html
I too am amazed at what my compost pile can grow. Its a nice analogy that out of waste can grow something strong and beautiful. I love a God of second chances!