CULTIVATEFAITH
I was attracted to the word cultivate. Merriam-Webster defines cultivate as: to foster the growth of, or to to prepare or prepare and use for the raising of crops; also: to loosen or break up the soil about (growing plants).
Faith, for me is about DOING something. It is an active process. Cultivation implies work, the preparation of the soil for growth is not a passive process. What does it mean to be a person who strives to sows faith? I think this work, growing faith, is something that takes time, work and the grace of God. In keeping with the garden analogy; one can’t plant a seed and expect a fully grown plant the very next day. It takes weeding out (perhaps of bad theology or old habits). Growth take daily nourishment. I’ve killed enough houseplants to know that living things need attention, feeding and watering. And because this process of cultivating faith is well a process, it also means that we need to have patience. Patience with ourselves and especially with others. We never know what someone is experiencing so be kind. Plant seeds of encouragement and love. Everyone grows at different paces, and that’s okay. Also, the work is never done. There is harvesting and then preparing all over again for new growth.
PSALM 37:3-5
Faith, for me is about DOING something. It is an active process. Cultivation implies work, the preparation of the soil for growth is not a passive process. What does it mean to be a person who strives to sows faith? I think this work, growing faith, is something that takes time, work and the grace of God. In keeping with the garden analogy; one can’t plant a seed and expect a fully grown plant the very next day. It takes weeding out (perhaps of bad theology or old habits). Growth take daily nourishment. I’ve killed enough houseplants to know that living things need attention, feeding and watering. And because this process of cultivating faith is well a process, it also means that we need to have patience. Patience with ourselves and especially with others. We never know what someone is experiencing so be kind. Plant seeds of encouragement and love. Everyone grows at different paces, and that’s okay. Also, the work is never done. There is harvesting and then preparing all over again for new growth.
PSALM 37:3-5
I found, and kind of fell in love, with this verse and version several years after adopting "cultivatefaith" as my ministry brand. It helps me, it’s kind of an attitude adjuster for me and perhaps it will inspire you too.
"Trust in the Lord, and do good; Dwell in the land and cultivate faithfulness. Delight yourself in the Lord; and God will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the Lord, trust also in God, and God will do it." Psalm 37:3-5
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