God Gives the Growth

I’m trying to make up my mind about planting bulbs this fall. I love the early springtime flowers that come from bulbs: daffodils, crocuses, and especially tulips. They come up just when winter seems to have dragged on so long that I can’t bear it any more.

But, if I’m honest, I have some reservations. Usually, bulbs come up as expected. Sometimes, though, they just don’t. Some bulbs are duds. Disappointing. I’ve also learned that the rabbits in my neighborhood find tulips to be delicious. Very frustrating. And sometimes, the pictures on the packaging promise a more beautiful flower than what emerges. Anticlimactic.

Besides all that, if I want to plant bulbs, I have to, you know, plant them. I have to decide where they should be planted. I have to get them. I have to dig and plant and cover. Not a lot of work, but a couple of hours that I’d need to find and spend.

To be really honest, I’m not sure why I’m dithering about this. I know that the work and risk are totally worth it. Even a single daffodil showing its bright yellow face in April would be a net positive to my life. I know what will make the difference. I know how to do it. I know I can do it. I have the time, the tools, and the gardening budget. Why don’t I just buy the bulbs?

As we’ve heard and reflected about generosity these past few weeks, I find myself pondering the contrast between my attitude (what if the rabbits eat my flowers again?) with God’s attitude (what if I just fill this beautiful blue and green planet with every single creation my creative character can imagine?). How easy it is to begrudge the rabbits my tulips! How tempting it is to see the daffodils as my rightful prize for half an hour of planting in October. 

Psalm 104 reminds me that however much I might feel possessive of the flowers, it is not my work or will that brings growth. People may cultivate the plants, but it is beyond our power to bring growth. We plant. God brings the growth.

Psalm 104 tells us that we do have a part to play as seed-sowers and plant-tenders. Tulips will not appear in my yard unless bulbs are planted. If I want to keep the rabbits away, I will need to put up some kind of barrier. I cannot make the plants grow. I can plant and tend and trust God to give the growth.

Seeds are not just for plants. To turn the story into a metaphor, there are lots of little ways we use what we have in hope of growth. When I extend both accountability and forgiveness to someone who has hurt me, I plant a seed of reconciliation, which, if tended carefully, might by God’s grace grow into a restored relationship. When I earnestly pray for the wellbeing of those people who seem like my enemies, there is a seed planted in me with roots that crack the hard parts of my heart. When I choose to give away what I would like to keep to myself, a seed is planted that may flourish into something so beautiful many people are drawn to it, and through it, to the God who gave the growth.

To be really honest, I’m not sure why I ever dither about planting seeds like these. I have seen God give growth from seeds I thought were surely duds in bad soil with no sunlight at all. God seems to take delight in making abundant, even excessive growth occur. How many and diverse are your works, o God! In wisdom you have made them all.

Since God takes such delight in bringing growth, I suppose I better just plant the seeds and watch to see what comes up.