My family and I are in the process of preparing for Spring, and it got me thinkin’ about “diggin’ in deep”. For over 25 years my dad ran his own lawn care business and had every landscape tool you could think of. We spent a lot of time outside as kids, playing in our yard and digging holes.
I’d think I had nearly hit China before my dad would confirm I’d only made it a couple of feet from the surface. Although the depth was disappointing, the digging was therapeutic and kept us busy.
It makes me sad today to see the influx of “iPad kids”. Part experience and speculation, this seems to be a result of parents too weary or too busy to bother with hole digging. iPads have replaced the shovel and TV’s keep the kids quiet while parents gather their sanity.
Back when I was a kid, we were digging holes, hammering nails into 2x4s, and climbing trees. Technology is great, but don’t you agree it prevents us from digging deep?
The more I learn, I’m seeing that technology isn’t the only thing that keeps us from digging deep.
Diggin’ deep ain’t just a garden thing.
As if suffering didn’t come naturally through tragedy and circumstance, we are now seeing how a lack of effort and technology are effecting everything. This comes in the form of anxiety, loneliness, comparison, resentment; you name it. If you aren’t personally suffering, you can name someone close to you going through it.
Suffering doesn’t pick favorites. Suffering comes in like a pest in the garden, looking for something to eat. Without the knowledge and tools, the health of your garden becomes a hard thing to keep.
Our roots remain shallow and our grip on life can become weak.
There was a time in my life when I felt the fruit I was producing was bitter, and the soil was suffering. As if he’d known me since childhood, Jesus showed up with a shovel and a hole-digging opportunity.
This scripture in the book of Matthew is encouraging to the lonely one, the shallow believer, and the friend that feels they don’t know how to “go deep”.
”If a man has a hundred sheep and one of them wanders away, what will he do? Won’t he leave the ninety-nine others on the hills and go out to search for the one that is missing?“
Matthew 18:12
When you feel alone in your suffering, know that Jesus is pursuing you.
I’ve been told He is a gentleman, and He won’t barge in the door demanding attention or a relationship with you. He will knock, speak quietly, and be the wave of peace in the middle of what you’re going through. Steady as can be, He will not intrude. He will not force himself on you.
He will show up when you finally need Him, shovel in hand, ready to dig in deep with you.
Suffering doesn’t pick favorites. Suffering comes in like a pest in the garden, looking for something to eat. Without the knowledge and tools, the health of your garden becomes a hard thing to keep.
Our roots remain shallow and our grip on life can become weak.
Start Your Day with Prayer
Having conversations with God is crucial when you decide to dig. Bringing whatever you have ahead of you, what’s got a strong grip on you, or something that is bothering you, all qualifies as worthy to Him. God wants you to come to Him with everything.
He cares and wants to be in a relationship with you. Prayer is a way to build that bond and begin to uncover the things only God knows about you. (Check out the end of the article for an easy prayer to pray if prayer is new to you.)
Seek Jesus for Refuge
“Keep me safe, O God, for I have come to you for refuge.”
Psalm 16:1
For those of you that still have your sights set on “breaking news”, please bring your attention to the King in Heaven who has His best interest set on you. I’m serious when I say, it’s not smart to doubt the God who physically separated the Red Sea for Moses and his crew. We’d be better off obsessing over God’s mercy and grace than the latest happenings in the news.
Trust the Process
A journey in building faith is not an easy thing. There will be many obstacles and tests along the way. David, the Psalmist who wrote, “I know the Lord is always with me. I will not be shaken, for He is right beside me.” (16:8), knew that we would need endurance to dig deep. The more times we go back and dig, the deeper we will go. The results at first may be disappointing and leave you feeling like you don’t have much to show. Trust that He is always with you, transforming your heart every step along the road.
Don’t let “digging in” be daunting. May you be encouraged to trust that Jesus wants to go deep with you.
Makenna Curtis
Local Pulse Community Writer
Holy Moments
** Prayer practice**
God, I need your help.
I give you every part of me and ask that you make known that you are with me.
In Jesus’ name, I pray,
Amen.
