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Clear the Land: A Life Lesson from Farming

Growing things has always fascinated me. There’s something deeply fulfilling about watching life sprout from the soil, thrive under your care, and eventually yield fruit. As a cottage farmer, I’ve come to cherish the process of starting small and growing intentionally. But farming has also been one of my greatest teachers—offering profound lessons about patience, resilience, and life itself.

A Shocking Discovery

Some seasons ago, I was blessed with a small plot of land to farm. Filled with excitement, I quickly got to work—clearing, digging, and planting. But as I dug deeper into the soil, I made a disheartening discovery: the land was heavily polluted. Buried beneath the surface were plastic bottles, baby diapers, broken glass, and other harmful waste.

My heart sank. I was disappointed—not just in the condition of the land, but in the careless actions of those who had contributed to its ruin. Still, it was the only land I had. So, I made a decision: I would clean it. I dug out every piece of trash, turned the soil over, and prepared the ground to give my seeds the best chance of growth.

The Spiritual Parallel

That experience was more than just a farming challenge. It was a mirror—a clear reflection of the human condition. So many people today are living with polluted soil in their lives. God has given each of us valuable seeds—our gifts, skills, talents, and spiritual callings. These seeds are meant to flourish and bear fruit. But many lives are weighed down with "inorganic waste"—bitterness, pride, laziness, envy, unforgiveness, and the scars of past mistakes.

As a result, the good seeds are often choked, and growth is stunted.

Jesus gave a parable that relates closely to this: “But while everyone was sleeping, his enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat, and went away” (Matthew 13:25, NIV). Whether through our own actions or the influence of others, the enemy sometimes sows destructive things into our lives. The good news? We don’t have to leave them there.

It's Time to Clean Your Land

If you're experiencing spiritual stagnation or emotional heaviness, it might be time to clean your land. God wants you to thrive, not just survive. Just like I dug through dirt to give my crops a better chance, we must be willing to confront and remove the things that hinder our spiritual and personal growth.

The Apostle Paul writes, “Therefore, if anyone cleanses himself from what is dishonorable, he will be a vessel for honorable use, set apart as holy, useful to the Master, ready for every good work” (2 Timothy 2:21, ESV).

Don’t let the pollution of the past keep your future buried. God has already given you everything you need to flourish—you just need to make room for it to grow.

3 Powerful Prayer Points

1. Lord, cleanse my heart and life of every hindrance. Uproot anything that chokes my growth—sin, pride, offense, or fear—and renew a right spirit within me.
   “Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.” —Psalm 51:10
2. Father, let the gifts, talents, and vision You’ve placed in me grow unhindered. Teach me to steward them faithfully.
   “And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.” —Galatians 6:9
3. Jesus, be the Lord of my life. Guide me daily, prune what needs pruning, and help me bear fruit that glorifies You.
   “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit.” —John 15:5

Final Thoughts

Farming may begin with soil and seed, but its lessons go far beyond the field. Sometimes, your breakthrough starts by simply clearing your land—your mind, your habits, your heart—and making space for something greater.

So today, take a moment to ask: What do I need to remove so my life can grow again?