Sometimes we have to get our hands dirty to realize the benefits of sowing seeds.

Two days ago, I took advantage of the sunshine and repotted a root-bound Prayer plant. Repotting should be done in the spring, but I felt like getting my hands dirty after almost two weeks of low activity.

Moving a bit slower than usual due to foot surgery, I walked around some trees avoiding the roots, until I reached a concrete slab behind the house. I scooped up some rich dark soil from under a two-inch layer of composting leaves to fill the new home for my plant, a blue and white porcelain pot.

Seeing the regenerated results yesterday justified getting my hands dirty.

The leaves transformed from a wilted mess to a healthy display of variegated green foliage. Beautiful.

As He often does during my daily activities, Holy Spirit brought a relative truth in Scripture to mind. The parable of the sower in the book of Mark.

“‘Listen! Behold, a sower went out to sow. And as he sowed, some seed fell along the path, and the birds came and devoured it. Other seed fell on rocky ground, where it did not have much soil, and immediately it sprang up, since it had no depth of soil. And when the sun rose, it was scorched, and since it had no root, it withered away. Other seed fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked it, and it yielded no grain. And other seeds fell into good soil and produced grain, growing up and increasing and yielding thirtyfold and sixtyfold and a hundredfold.’ And he said, ‘He who has ears to hear, let him hear’” (4:3-9 ESV).

When initially potted, the Prayer plant was placed in good soil, positioned to receive proper sunshine, and nurtured with the correct amount of food and water.

Yet, when the plant became root-bound, it stopped flourishing. Because it outgrew its surroundings, the plant was smothering itself. The same can happen to us.

As brothers and sisters in Christ, we can outgrow our surroundings. Though we start in good soil and grow strong in our faith, we become root-bound or comfort-bound in our surroundings, thus smothering our God-given potential.

Yet, we have hope.

God provides friends who don’t mind getting their hands dirty to speak truthfully into our lives.

Phrases we may hear are “God has given you an amazing gift with children. Ever considered being a teacher?” Or perhaps, “You have such a beautiful way of sharing God’s truth. You could so write a Bible study?” And yet another prompting, “I greatly appreciate your gentle approach in speaking to others about Jesus. Have you considered being a missionary?”

• … becoming a speaker?
• … helping the homeless?
• … starting a ministry?

God uses people we trust to nudge us.

In turn, we are repotted to grow in His Son’s anointing. Are you feeling a nudge to get your hands dirty to encourage others?

A seed has been planted.
The Son is shining on you.
Perhaps it’s time to move beyond what’s comfortable into a new position with infinite possibilities.

Are you feeling a nudge to receive encouragement?

Let’s journey together

Abba Daddy, You are amazing!
In every moment of life, You abound.
We hear You through Your creation.
You teach us through Your word.
We are encouraged through Your children.
You refuse to let us become comfort-bound when we have so much to experience in this life.
We praise You. We thank You. e fall to our knees before You.
Hallelujah, hallelujah, glory to our Lord God Almighty!
He who was, and is, and is yet to come. Praise His name-Jesus!
Hallelujah. Amen.