We're All Gardeners

The Book of Genesis Day 6 Ge 1:11 Then God said, "Let the earth bring forth grass, the herb that yields seed, and the fruit tree that yields fruit according to its kind, whose seed is in itself, on the earth"; and it was so. 12 And the earth brought forth grass, the herb that yields seed according to its kind, and the tree that yields fruit, whose seed is in itself according to its kind. And God saw that it was good. 13 So the evening and the morning were the third day. Still on the third day of creation and God begins the science of biology. Vegetation, including grass, herbs, and fruit trees are brought forth from the earth. They yield according to their kind, each variety having their DNA wrapped up in their specific number of chromosomes. It was God who set them in their families, and note that He didn’t simply speak them into existence as full fledged plants, rather He said, “Let the earth bring forth it’s vegetation. If you have ever planted grass from seed, or a garden for herbs, or trees from seed, you know the time element involved. It takes time for the earth to bring forth these things. Now, look at God’s reaction when the seedlings emerge. He saw that it was good! Isn’t that what every gardener, every landscaper feels when those little green shoots first appear? “It is good. ” I think since we are made in the image of God, that there’s a little gardener in each of us. As followers of Jesus Christ, we are to go and cast the seeds of the gospel to the world. What joy we experience, when we see those seeds sprout into living, fruit producing, souls! It is indeed, “good.” So, day three comes to an end. At this point let me just say that there is a debate about “literal 24 hour days” in the creation account. Personally I believe that the 24 hour day as we know it, did not come into play until day four. That’s when God hung his temporary time pieces in the sky , (the sun, moon, and stars) I think allowing the earth to bring forth the vegetation is a confirmation of that. Grass and fruit trees don’t sprout up in one day! Day three took time! How much time? As much time as God wanted it to. With Him a day is like a thousand years and scientists who scramble to determine the age of the earth would do well to remember that! Maybe spending a little more time in the garden would help us appreciate that! For reflection: What is your favorite flower or garden plant? How do you feel when seeds you have planted begin to sprout? Produce fruit? Have you ever seen gospel seeds come to life and produce fruit in others? Yourself? Pray: Father, help us to abundantly sow your love and Your Word into the lives of people around us today, confident of Your life producing results