The Third Day in Lent
Preparing the Soil
The soil is the great connector of lives, the source and destination of all. It is the healer and restorer and resurrector, by which disease passes into health, age into youth, death into life. Without proper care for it we can have no community, because without proper care for it we can have no life.
- Wendell Berry
Before a gardener or farmer plants seeds, they first prepare the soil. Jesus knew this as he told the Parable of the Sower to remind us that the quality of the soil of our lives determines whether seeds are able to take root and thrive.
People often choose to either give something up or take something on for Lent. Giving something up, like sugar, alcohol, busyness, gossiping, etc., is analogous to removing rocks or weeds from the soil of our spiritual lives. We all have habits that make it more difficult for spiritual fruit to take deeper root in our lives. Making a conscious choice to change these habits can be an important turning point in preparing our spiritual soil.
On the other hand, taking something on for Lent can be compared to adding good nutrients to our soil. Making a commitment to pray or meditate every day, reading Scripture regularly, or connecting more deeply with a faith community are positive ways we can enrich the ground of our spiritual lives.
While John the Baptist’s words to “prepare the Way of the Lord” are most commonly heard during Advent, they serve as timely advice for us now this Lent as we prepare to cultivate the fruit of the Spirit in our lives.
Making it Personal: Are you giving something up this Lent? Taking something new on? How else might you prepare for cultivating the fruit of the Spirit more intentionally in your life during the season of Lent and beyond?
Listen To Our Lent Podcast Episodes
We also invite you to listen to the Living Compass Spirituality and Wellness Podcast hosted by Scott Stoner. This is a year-round, weekly podcast; however, during Lent, there will be two new episodes each week to enrich your experience of our Lenten readings on Cultivating the Fruit of the Spirit.
You can listen to the podcast on our website by clicking HERE. You can also find this podcast in your favorite podcast listening app (Apple, Google, Spotify, etc.)—just search for Living Compass Spirituality and Wellness