What dirt can teach us about life

For thousands of years we have worked the Earth. 

Agriculture is deep in our bones.

One needs look no further than the Bible, much of which talks extensively in terms of tilling the land, planting seeds, and reaping the rewards.

It’s easy to see why.

At the time, most of the planet was people farming.

Even up until the industrial revolution just a few hundred years ago, at least 80% of all people were involved in growing food and tending to animals to keep everyone fed.

But more than that, there is something very human about working in the dirt. Planting seeds and letting things grow. 

Today, I’ve spent the entire day, probably 8 or more hours outside digging, weeding, and planting the garden for the year and I couldn’t be happier.

I haven’t done a damn thing else, aside from now sitting to type these words because I feel its important.

Gardening teaches us about life.

Jesus knew this and so did the disciples. There are many parables about sewing seed, timing, and influence of others.

We’ll discuss a few such examples from one of my favorites; Galatians 6:8-9

“A man reaps what he sows. Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.”

Alot to unpack here as I’m sure everyone has heard this in some variation.

You reap what you sew. He who plants good seeds will receive a good harvest. Waiting for the proper time.

All messages that directly apply to almost anything in life.

Relationships, business, your own health.

Most people do not plant seeds of any kind. They live day to day and never have the thought of the future. 

Especially when in reality most things are cyclical in nature but working a job 50 weeks out of the year has started to breed that out of us.

I work in an industry outside and there is very little work to be done in winter. So instead of trying to look busy this is the time to take off, go visit the beaches, take a trip somewhere warm.

Take a break.

Because the rest of the year is spent working, and that is the time to work.

The whole “make hay while the sun shines” aka work when it is time to work and rest when it’s time to rest.

This is work too that has come only as a result of good seeds planted. 

You know those seeds my friend.

Every day that you can, be planting. Whether that’s mental, spiritual, physical health every day is an opportunity to plant seeds that your future self will thank you for.

I produce one piece of content every day. I exercise every day. These are my non negotiables that have compounded for the last couple years and have produced astounding results even after just a few years.

Never underestimate the power of planting a small seed, giving it time and watching it grow.

For as they say, “from a small seed, a mighty oak shall grow”.

Anyways, that is all for today. I need to go finish planting the rest of the garden. Pick up a Bible or go pick up a shovel and get to work my friend.

  • Spencer Claeys

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