Break up your unplowed ground, for it is time to seek the Lord.”

(Hosea 10:12 NIV)

A man in prison got a letter from his wife asking when she should plant lettuce in the backyard. He knew the guards read every word he sent, so he wrote back, “Whatever you do, don’t touch the back garden. That’s where I hid all the money.”

A week later she wrote again: “You won’t believe this!  Some men showed up with shovels and dug up the whole backyard!”

The man wrote back with a smile, “Now is the best time to plant the lettuce.”

It’s a story that relates to how God often works in our lives. We all have parts of our hearts that feel hard.  Places where nothing seems to change or grow no matter how much we pray. Maybe it’s a bad habit we can’t shake, a strained relationship, or a part of our spiritual life that feels dry.

Then something happens that “digs up” the ground.  A plan falls apart.  A problem shows up out of nowhere. Something we’ve been avoiding gets brought to the surface.  These moments can feel uncomfortable and frustrating. But often, that’s exactly where God is working.

Hosea 10:12 says, “Break up your unplowed ground, for it is time to seek the Lord.” (NIV). In other words, before something can grow, the soil has to be turned over. Hard ground can’t grow anything. It has to be broken up so that new life can take root.

Sometimes God does the digging himself. Other times, he uses situations, people, or even our own mistakes. But the goal is always the same: to prepare us for growth.

Maybe you’re going through something right now that feels like your “garden” is being dug up. It feels like a mess, but God knows exactly what he’s doing. He knows what needs loosening, what needs clearing, and what needs softening.

And when he’s done, your heart will be more ready than ever for him to plant something new.  A new attitude, a deeper trust, a fresh start, a stronger faith.

So, if your life feels like it’s been turned upside down, don’t lose hope.  This might be the perfect time to plant.

Prayer: Lord, when life feels unsettled, help me trust that you’re working in the soil of my heart. Soften me, shape me, and help your word to take root and grow.  In Jesus’ name, amen.

Alan Smith
Reprinted with permission from Alan Smith’s Thought For the Day