What’s In Your Foundation?

The business of landscaping is a very rewarding and time-consuming job. Intrinsic to maintaining lush vegetation is knowing the soil type, using the right fertilizers, planting the right flowers, weeding, and watering at the appropriate time. Gardeners know which plant loves the sun and which ones love the cool evening shade. According to (Reeves), limestone-based soils stem from a high pH and a lack of topsoil depth. Therefore, nutrients, such as manganese and iron, are less available and water drains through quickly. Breaking through layers of rock and adding topsoil is certainly effective in improving the soil’s ecosystem. The primary way to do this would be adding organic matter to the soil as this would help with water retention and increase nutrient availability.

There are countless biblical allegories, depicting human lives in comparison to that of gardens. Psalm 1: 1-3 reveals that it is a blessing to walk in godly counsel, for we shall be like trees planted by the rivers of water that shall bring forth fruit in the right season and that our leaves shall not wither but indeed prosper. The book of Solomon found in the Old Testament is filled with imagery of flowers and seeds. An entire love affair between Solomon and his Shulamite bride is conducted within the confines of a garden. The landscape of Sodom and Gomorrah was exceedingly beautiful and that's why Lot, Abraham's nephew, chose to dwell there. However,  the land was filled with iniquity because of the sins of the people. Unfortunately, Sodom and Gomorrah was destroyed because of the lifestyle of the people.

Some lands are fertile, and others are not. Yet, regardless of the soil quality, there are solutions to improve the soil content.  From a Christian perspective, Jesus Christ offers a parable where He reveals that He is the true vine, and His Father is the vinedresser. Whatever branch in Jesus does not bear fruit He takes away and whatever branch that bears fruit, He prunes that it may bear more fruit. We may not know what’s in our foundation or perhaps we do know. Whatever the situation, Jesus reveals that our gardens can be cultivated by the application of His Word.

Jesus Christ stands ready to uproot the weeds, thorns, thistles, and briers from our lives. Our foundations cannot stand through the storms of life if it is filled with abominations of any kind. There is no need to remain embarrassed by the actions of our past because there is a way to move ahead. Your land is redeemable because you have a Kingsman Redeemer who stands ready to purchase your land and make it bloom again. Ruth found her Boaz and he was not at all put off by what was in her lineage. Abba Father redeemed King David despite the actions of his past. Jesus Christ is the firstborn of all creation and Abba Father gave Him earthly parents as a symbol to represent that He came from the midst of the people. 2nd Chronicles 7: 14-16 from the NKJV version reads: If my people who are called by my Name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land. There is an urging for you to confess to Jesus your sins and the sins of your lineage. He is ready and able to deliver and heal you as you pray.  A garden is waiting for you to cultivate so that it will be a place of respite for those you invite to dwell there. Shalom.   

References

Reeves, L. (n.d.). Nicholsons. Retrieved from nicholsonsgb.com: https://www.nicholsonsgb.com/planting-on-limestone-based-soils/