Unplowed Ground

I am not a gardener. I don't have a green thumb (it might be leaning more towards the shade of charcoal). I don't particularly like plants...all that much. My yard looks like any yard would with months of neglect - a jungle. (Maybe I'll add a picture later so I'm motivated to make it look better!)

But I LOVE stories set on farms - Amish stories (especially Beverly Lewis), stories set in the early American pioneer days, and stories that give that sense of the harmony between hard work and nature.

As much as I love reading about it, I would not (as I've testified above) fit in very well in those settings. As I was reading from a book of scripture that was brought to mind tonight by our lively Book Club discussion (we read this), I discovered a passage that, as a non-farmer, probably doesn't mean as much to one who does work the land. And yet, I understand exactly what God has in mind here, and that's thanks to Him for revealing it to me!

"Sow righteousness for youselves, reap the fruit of unfailing love, and break up your unplowed ground; for it is time to seek the Lord, until he comes and showers his righetousness of you."

~Hosea 10:12

Not only is this my memory verse for the next 14 days, but it is also a very direct Word from God for me. God is speaking to my heart about the unplowed ground in my life. What have I not given over to Him? What needs "breaking up" in my life? How can I dig deeper into my relationship with God, the Creator?

There's so much packed into this verse and I can't wait to see what God is going to reveal to me over the next 14 days, especially, and then throughout the rest of this Plan he has for me: my life.

Here are my previous verses (from memory!):

"Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me." ~Psalm 51:10

"Nevertheless, each person should live as a believer in whatever situation the Lord has assigned to them, just as God has called them." ~1 Corinthians 7:17 (This verse has been especially poignant and I've been able to share it with several other people lately - I do hope I'm not taking it out of context, and I'd like to study it more!)

"For we do not struggle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world, and against the forces of evil in the spiritual realm." ~Ephesians 6:12

"Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of your flesh." ~Romans 13:14

For my fellow siestas, don't give up hope! You can memorize scripture! Try to find situations where your scriptures apply - then look them up and repeat them. Share with each other. I write my scriptures several times (I've typed them 3 times just tonight!). Any kind of repetition helps!

GLORY TO GOD FOR HIS UNFAILING LOVE!

(and for the amazing inspiration for this blog post)