Seeds must take on a humble state in order to grow.

They are buried in manure and rotted organic matter and pressed down out of the sunlight. There, in the darkness and silence, they soften. Parts inside them that had only known stillness are awakened. When they give in to this humblest of states, they come alive!

Perhaps God’s church is like a garden bed of seeds.

We’ve been planted in fertile soil. Daily, we root down into God’s Word, into Jesus. Sometimes unsavory elements surround us — bills, fitful children, dysfunctional bodies. Unpleasant as they feel, perhaps, like those patient garden seeds, unsavory elements are actually what we need to nourish our spirits.

Sometimes we can’t fathom how storms and drought could be working toward making us (or those around us) grow. Yet, we are in the care of the Great Gardener. He knows what will grow strong and healthy spirits.

One day we will be lifted up. One day we’ll poke our heads out from our dim perspective and into the sunlight. One day we will get a view of God’s whole plan and the beautiful garden He has been orchestrating all along.