Issue 11: The Sow What Issue by illumin8

JULY 2009

Editor

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Germi

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The Baobab 14

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the Skies

8 Ways 11

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W Double Take: The

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Garden

Growth

Earth Shattering Trouble

4 15

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I am a novice gardener who practices this timeless occupation on a collection of pot plants on our patio. I have pansies, a bougainvillea, a rose bush, some herbs and a host of other plants I don't actually know the names of (note: novice gardener). I love getting new plants from the nursery and having these fresh, healthy looking flowers blooming. The other day though, I looked out of the window and was shocked to see that many of the plants were looking withered and dried out. There was not a bloom in sight! I rushed out to tend to my poor plants only to discover the soil was bone dry. I realized that I hadn't watered them in about a week! I'd been getting home after dark, and leaving while it was still freezing cold and my plants had been neglected as a result. I quickly filled a watering can and gave them all a good soak and low and behold, a few days laterâ&#x20AC;Ś buds appeared! I just thank God that plants are so hardy otherwise I doubt I'd have any left! The bible is full of references to gardens and plants. The Garden of Eden for example, or the Garden of Gethsemane. Trees are mentioned a lot to â&#x20AC;&#x201C; the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil, the Tree of Life, as well as a host of examples where trees are used as a metaphor for ourselves. David touches on this in his article, The Baobab, which is on page 14. illumin8 - Edition 11 - July 2009

The SOW WHAT issue is not about literal gardens though. For me, part of the theme is summed up in the following excerpt from The Shack by William P. Young: “And well you should, Mackenzie, because this garden is your soul. This mess is you! Together, you and I, we have been working with a purpose in your heart. And it is wild and beautiful and perfectly in process. To you it seems like a mess, but to me, I see a perfect pattern emerging and growing and alive – a living fractal.” In this scene, the main character, Mackenzie, has been working with Sureya, who is the Holy Spirit. They've spent ages cutting things down, clearing plants that have grown out of control, planting seeds where new plants will grow later. It is such a beautiful image for me. I imagine my soul to be full of the most vibrant and exquisite flowers: orchids, daffodils, tulips, roses! It's a riot of colour and activity – messy but beautiful and with the Holy Spirit continually wandering around in a pair of gardening gloves and wellies, snipping off dead heads, encouraging new growth and making space for something else to grow later. We are consistently growing – either towards God or away from Him. Senzo explores ways to experience growth with God in Gardening for Growth, on page 7. What's more though is that our actions and words plant seeds in the lives of others. Germin8 on page 12 examines the responsibility we have in this regard, but also the support system we have in the form of Jesus Christ.

“

A garden is not a temporary project.

It is not something you can start and just forget about later. It needs constant care and attention. There is always something to do – it's a never ending process of improvement! We are much the same – unfinished works, gardens God is consistently working on, in all circumstances and at all times. He does not forget about us for a week. He does not forget about us for a minute! In the next two months I pray you will be aware of the growth that is happening in your soul, of God's tender tweaking and prodding. I pray that you will respond to it and that incredible things will sprout forth in your life! In the icy grip of winter – may your life be full of buds! Love Lucy

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seed and watching it slowly grow, I can't help but this world but we can think of it in a more spiritual think that the Psalmist must have been a little bit sense too. Whoever believes in Christ -and confused here. Sowing seed is not a sad thing to decides to cultivate a relationship with him me, I realise though that the act of sowing in itself is DESPITE their circumstance- is guaranteed not what he is talking about. If farmers want a eternal life which ultimately is something harvest and subsequently food for the winter, they DEFINITELY worth joyfully shouting for! have to sow. Whether they have much or little seed, they have to sow. Whether they I would want to run from Jesus If I think of the joyful times I know if the seed will bring in a - as far as I could - if I did not have had in simply planting a bountiful harvest or not, they have the assurance that have to sow. The crops won't sowing through these tears of seed and watching it slowly by Katy mysteriously grow themselves if grow, I can't help but think that mine would reap a harvest of the farmer is worried and grief- the Psalmist must have been a joy. Why? Because I have sow in tears “May those who stricken with trouble. The work found that facing Him does not of joy! little bit confused... reap with shouts , ng pi must still be done. take my trouble away from me ee w He that goes forth r sowing, fo (which we sometimes expect it should). It HELPS ed bearing the se of joy, ts ou sh ith w e me DEAL with it despite how painful it is. Having Recently tragedy struck my family and my life in shall come hom m.” sheaves with hi an ongoing relationship with Jesus helps me to general. I lost someone very dear to me. The bringing hislm Psa 126:5-6 continue sowing because He's the only one who thought of the earth swallowing me up was rather FULLY knows what it means to have comforting. That life has to carry on amidst my Have you ever been faced with earth-shattering trouble, experienced pain but at the same time ultimate trouble is ghastly. But as with a farmer faithfully something that seems to take the ground right out from joy by having OVERCOME the world and its sowing his only seed left with the hopes of bringing under your feet? Maybe it has not been as dramatic as troubles. in a harvest, so my life has to go on. The trouble I am described, but you have been through some significant facing now will not simply allow my life to stop dead tribulation in your life. in its tracks while I wait for it to pass. There's work to The ground has to be moved sometimes to be done and “sowing is simply the work that has to realize a harvest. Life for me is rough right now, I Each one of us at some point in our lives will have the fun be done even when there are things in life that make miss that someone dear to me terribly but my and “peachyness” of life mixed up a little and experience us cry” 1 resolve is that when the tears come (and they - as John Piper1 would say - a 'blue funk'; a do!) I will allow them to come and I will persevere. Throughout the Bible trial or trials of some sort. Throughout the Because I have a Greater Hope, that the mere and History, people But why should the farmer keep Bible and History, people have struggled and sowing his seed? What drives us to act of bearing forth seed WILL bring in a harvest have struggled and have shed tears. One only has to think keep on going? of blessing (see Gal 3:6). Because of this, I will be have shed tears of Job and his story. Even Jesus wept and able to POINT to the ONE who my shouts of joy experienced trial and tribulation! Trouble is part of this In John 16:33, Jesus says “…In this world you will should give GLORY and HONOUR to... fallen world. have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." So then when we read Psalm 126:6 “He that That's way more precious than Psalm 126:5 says “May those who sow in tears, reap with goes forth weeping, bearing the seed for sowing, what ANY earth-shattering trouble shouts of joy”. Why would the Psalmist be so sure that shall come home with shouts of joy, bringing his can -or will ever- discourage me one would be shedding tears when sowing? The act of sheaves with him” we think not only of the farmer with in this world. sowing seed in itself is not a sorrowful occasion surely? who has to sow the seed despite difficult If I think of the joyful times I have had in simply planting a circumstances and is guaranteed a joyful harvest in 1

John Piper http://www.desiringgod.org/ResourceLibrary/TasteAndSee/ByDate/1991/3851_Talking_to_Your_Tears/

Jan Barnard reflects Leanne Rhodes records

My eyes part with great difficulty and I realise it must be really early. My suspicion is confirmed when I realise that the sun hasn't even greeted the koppies and fields on the farm yet. The rooster knows it's coming though and announces it with great fervour- now that I think about it; it's probably that little nuisance that woke me in the first place. I suddenly realise that it's probably time for my daddy to start his working day so I part the curtains and watch him leave in his khaki shorts, socks and hat.I am only 3 but I love how my dad cares for the lands and animals. He has been worried though. I wish the rain would just come. illumin8 - Edition 11 - July 2009

The time I'm referring to was the 1980's and my dad, Jan Barnard, was a proud farmer of sunflowers, mielies and cattle on a farm called Goudkoppies in the North West province. I recently realised that, although a “plaas meisie” (farm girl) at heart having no doubt inherited my Dad's green fingers, I know shockingly little about the intricacies of running a farm and the battles my dad so passionately and continuously fought. I took the time to ask him about the farm and discovered a wealth of information and experience. When it comes to farming, he tells me, one of the key aspects a farmer needs to do is monitor the soil. He needs to determine if the soil is rich in minerals, if its PH is correct, what sort of crop would thrive in these conditions, to name a few. He told me of how they would take samples to be tested and analysed so that just the right fertilizers could be added and the land can be nurtured and meticulously prepared for its crop.Next comes the sowing of the seed which I discovered, needs an incredible amount of intuition and timing. It turns out that if mielies are planted too early insects could devour them, if planted too late the mielies will not be mature enough, or be properly dried out when it's time to harvest. Once the decision is made to plant then the farmer needs to let go and wait for nature to do her “thing”. Rain is the final ingredient needed to ensure a successful crop; and consequently the livelihood of our small South African family. Without water, no life can be sustained. He reminds me that in the 1980's South Africa saw one of the worst recorded droughts in history. My dad and his workers made it a habit to watch the weather and soon found wind patterns that would normally indicate that rain was on its way. What the crops needed was what he calls “Geel-perkse reen” – a consistent rainfall that falls softly but lasts days, absolutely drenching the soil. The clouds would come from the right direction and hang over the illumin8 - Edition 11 - July 2009

lands. My dad called them “dams in the sky”. Their spirits would rise at the thought of relief for the dry dusty land but then the winds would come and take all that water away leaving the land the same as before but the hearts of the workers sapped of hope. Watching the weather in this way was an intense emotional roller coaster with their hopes being awakened for a moment only for them to be ripped away.

He told me that in those days, he rarely turned to God in these times of drought but rather watched the shifting uncertain weather. Isn't this how we spend so much of our time? Don't we too look to the world for answers, for relief or success rather than the Creator of the world? He tells me one of Angus Buchan’s stories and in hindsight he wonders what would've happened if he spent more time on his knees and less with his eyes to the skies. The word faith comes to mind. Faith that once the elements he could control were in place that God would answer his prayers and provide for his family. That he would change the winds and send “the dam in the sky” and that its walls would break bringing a deluge of life. We both realised that faith is key in our walk with God on this earth. That it is not a dependency on physical signs that can continuously fluctuate. Rather it is fixing our sight on the only thing that is not governed by change. Our hope should lie in Him – steadfast, unchanging, eternal.

You and I must also tend our hearts and minds to be ready for Christ to plant in us His Word, desires and indeed His heart and Spirit. If you are reading this though, you most probably have accepted Christ in your life but maybe struggle with growth and intimacy with Him. Don’t beat yourself up, growth is possible and so is intimacy. Here are a few practical things I think you and I must engage in, in order to grow and bear fruit.

esk

From Senzo’s D

It’s all about attitude Romans 12:2 urges us to be transformed by the renewal of our minds. We therefore must train our minds and attitudes to love God and hate sin. Loving God and hating sin is a whole sermon and thesis on its own so let me break it down by simply saying we must resolve to do the stuff that makes God smile every moment of our days. Weeding out sin is not simple nor is it easy and one can chop down good crop while weeding out sin but it all begins with our attitudes.

Growing up in rural KZN, spring time meant tending the ground for planting all sorts of things, mainly mealies. First the tractors and cattle would plough the fields. Then we would all go out with hoes and prepare the field further, breaking all the big pieces of overturned soil so that it was workable. Once that was done we would go to the kraal and get dry cow manure which was spread and scattered over the field. Finally the planting of seeds would take place and then we’d wait for the rains while at the same time fending off chickens and birds. I am the master chicken bouncer! Once the crop had grown the worst job of them all needed to be done: weeding! I was hopeless at it. My pile of weeds tended to be half weeds and half mealies, which drove my mother absolutely crazy. Needless to say, my weeding days were short lived and I got demoted to watering-canister-master. It was at this young age I came to realise that if a mealie plant, for example, doesn’t grow tall and strong enough, it generally bears useless cob and if the cob is big, it breaks the plant.

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Pray People Pray Prayer Resources: Prayer, Richard Foster A kneeling Christian.... Excellent! Praying Hyde. A tiny book but worth a read.

On a number of occasions, Paul encourages us to pray: Eph 6:18 and Phil 4:6 are but a few examples. An old hymn suggests that there are so many privileges we often forfeit, because we do not carry everything to Christ in prayer. Prayer is powerful and keeps us connected with Christ. Prayer helps us grow and is extremely intimate. If you want to see transformation in your ministry, your life, family or any circumstance, prayer is the key to the gates of Gods’ heart.

Worship Resources:

Words of Worth

Books: “The Unquenchable Worshipper”, “Blessed be Your Name”, “Facedown”, all by Matt Redman. “Extravagant Worship” by Darlene Czech. It is vital to also read old texts like, “Spurgeon on Praise” and Brother Lawrence's' “Practicing the presence of God”. The internet offers vast resources. I visit the Worship Central Website regularly, read and listen to talks on worship.

When Joshua was taking over from Moses, God commanded Him to meditate on the Word day and night and not to let it depart from His mouth (Joshua 1:6-9). We will never fully know God but we must still strive to know Him more today than we did the day before. I am convinced that without reading your Bible regularly, you stunt your growth and are in danger of being like a mealie that cannot handle the fruit God desires for you and from you. Bible study notes are very useful and are available left right and centre.

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Bible Reading Resources: A challenging book is Oswald Chambers' My Utmost For His Highest. Closer to God (Annual release from Scripture Union). They also do a Khula book and a Khula kids for younger generations. I also go on the web to www.ucb.co.uk and read 'The Word For Today”.

I’m sure you get the picture.

Fellowship and Friends Finally, in Hebrews 10:25 the writer exhorts us not to give up meeting together. Fellowship with Christians, whether at church or for coffee is vital. The Church (Christian family) is your support network to encourage you when you‘re down, to correct when you go wrong, to pray for you and with you at all times. D. Bonheoffer writes fantastically on community. I’d also urge you to get into a home group/cell group and where possible, have an accountability partner.

The Wonders of Worship If you read through the Psalms, you get a glimpse of how David and his co-writers loved God so much that worship was their daily activity. We must worship God because He deserves it and He is worthy of our worship. Read Isaiah 40 and tell me He is not worthy to be worshipped! Worship God simply because He is God. I am biased towards sung worship so my suggestions here are tilting towards that form of worship but it is not the only form of worship, it is but one of thousands of ways to worship.

The Point of it All Each of the above is a huge topic on its own. They are also not the only activities one must engage in. There is mission, evangelism, tithing, discipleship and mentoring to name a few but I pray and am certain that these will spur you on in pursuit of God’s heart. In the end it’s not about ticking a box to say what has been achieved and what still needs to be worked on but rather about pursuing the heart of God and with everything, to shout His glory and bring Him praise and worship for He alone is worthy and intimacy with Him is intimacy unrivalled.

The thing about worship is to keep it fresh and exciting. It is not meant to be boring and the same over and over, so here are a few things you can do: o Play a CD and worship o Sit in silence and/or journal o Rewrite Psalms in your own words

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Paint/draw Now and then I’ll take an old Hymn book and just read through the words. They are so rich and refreshing that most contemporary songs do not hit the same mark.

‘We worship an...unrivalled, uncontested God of all kinds of might

and power and glory and awe. There is none like Him anywhere in all Louie Giglio of creation.’

by Leanne Rhodes

“Positive life-giving words that help destroy the lies that have taken root in our hearts.”

Did you know that to the human mind,

bad is stronger than good? I was listening, yes listening, to a book the other day by Johan Leher... Before we jump into this new-found term I need to explain a small personal quirk. I have always had an uncanny ability to thirst for more books than what I can physically get through. What I mean is that I love books and have such good intentions to read but when I do, I find myself stuck with the same book for several months, sometimes even years. This tendency is hampering the craving my brain has to absorb the fascinating intricacies of life, the world and everything in it. So on one bright and cheery day I stumbled across the audio book format and haven't looked back since. It's perfect for my work day: It turns out my right brain can design the visual elements I need for work (I'm a graphic designer), while my once starving left brain is now fed by the calming voice of the narrator coming from my speakers. Now typing and listening is almost impossible (I've tried) but designing and listening is the perfect duo. As I explored this new-found solution I stumbled on a great find.

TAKE 1: I was listening to a book the other day by Johan Leher titled “How we decide”. It explores how the brain works when we make decisions, in a scientific yet accessible way. It was here that I came across a psychological phenomenon called “negativity bias”. Did you know that to the human mind, bad is stronger than good? For example in a marriage it takes at least five acts of kindness to compensate for one critical comment. In a study, they noted that people believe a person convicted of murder must perform at least 25 acts of lifesaving heroism in order to redeem him/herself for that one crime. There is no noted rational reason that we treat compliments and criticism so differently – it just seems to be how the brain was built to work.

Cue the book from the beginning...

double take

TAKE 2: So to a human, a negative comment has a far stronger effect than a positive one. Think about your life - someone could be nice to you the whole day but one negative comment makes the whole experience sour. With this in mind the warnings headed in the Bible regarding the use and control of the tongue bear that much more weight. When I was at varsity I went to a party with my boyfriend and his school friends – a reunion type occasion. They were all a year older than me so I felt slightly self conscious. Once I relaxed though I started telling them about res and what was happening at varsity. At one point, the guy next to me said, “Why are you even talking? No-one is listening to you.” Now I'm sure he wouldn't even recall that foolish comment but for many years I let this small seed grow. I started to hear and believe things like “You have nothing of value to say; your words are worthless; you are worthless; you could never speak in public; no one will ever listen.“ When I look back now I see how ludicrous those lies really are but the devil uses careless critical words as seeds that become weeds of doubt and fear. This one negative comment, for a long time completely outweighed whatever positive and edifying words family and friends ever said to me. God and others however showed me that I had a calling to speak and to write – to use my words for the glory of God. I now write regularly and even speak in church and at conferences. Have you had a similar experience? Have the critical words of others found roots in your heart? Have you ever been told you're getting podgy, that you're ugly or that you are not strong enough? Weeds, by nature, sprout and grow rapidly to the point that sometimes you don't even remember where the seed came from in the first place. They stifle our growth and ability to live in the freedom we were created to. It is for this reason that you should pray that God reveal to you the source of your conflict. How do you spot what the weeds in your life are? They are the things you believe that go against what God has put in His Word. So if you believe that you are worthless – that totally contradicts God saying that you were wonderfully made and that you are precious in His sight.

Have the critical words of others found roots in your heart?

Have you been the one dishing out the criticism? It is often easier to point out the faults of others than to see your own. Jesus warns against this and the Bible cautions us to guard our mouths. Remember that we all fall short of the glory of God. So instead, feed yourself with God's Word and as a result more life giving words will flow out. Although negative outweighs positive in the human brain you should never underestimate the power of life-giving positive words. They form ideals with strong roots and sturdy stems. So when a measly weed comes your way it has little effect on your growth. It is these words, God's words that become the weed-eaters in our souls; clearing the way for real life, fruit and beauty.

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Green is the new black these days… being green that is! Everywhere we turn there seem to be campaigns or programs running to get people to live “greener lives”, and decrease their impact on the environment. But what can we, in South Africa, really do? In my experience, many of the green activities are well supported in first world countries, but are scarce here. Recycling is an example. I know of one or two glass containers in Pretoria and I think Mondi collects paper in some areas, but that’s about it to my knowledge. I got tired of feeling like I had to do something for the environment, but not knowing what… so I did some research:

11.

Add the “Don't print this unless necessary” disclaimer to your emails and negate the need for recycling at all!

22.

Save water – shower instead of bath.

33.

Use gas heaters instead of electric heaters. Where possible, wear 1 an extra jersey and avoid using a heater at all.

44. 55.

Unplug chargers when not in use.1

66.

Dispose of cooking oil properly. DO NOT POUR IT DOWN THE DRAIN! Wait for the oil to cool and then put it in a sealed container, such as a tin or plastic bottle, then throw it away with the rest of your rubbish.2

77.

Join in the Energy Addicts campaign. Visit www.savingenergy.co.za and take the energy quiz to see how you currently rank in terms of saving energy. There are lots of useful tips that can be downloaded from the site to help you decrease your energy usage.

88.

Change your attitude. You can make a difference!

When cooking, make sure the pot completely covers the stove 1 plate.

Available: http://www.savingenergy.co.za/recovery/Home%20Recovery%20Checklist.pdf Accessed 8 July 2009 Available: http://www.ehow.com/how_15918_dispose-used-cooking.html Accessed: 8 July 2009

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Lucy Rip

to anyone else. So I left everyone else alone, When I became a Christian in the true sense of wanting to talk to my friends about what was especially my boyfriend. I concentrated on the word and started trying to live for God I really going on; how my faith was actually having my quite time, going to church, remember it as a time of much pain and enhancing my life when to their eyes it was continuing with my cell group confusion. The reason for this was because so having the precisely opposite affect. many of my friends (and most What followed was more I started planting the and learning through it all. g pain… n li e fe During the next few months I r e notably my boyfriend at the b m e I rem words the from seeds found myself to be more calm time) were not Christians. I a r, e like the outsid and positive about things. And remember feeling like the It was hardest with my flowering in me then without me even being outsider, a prude, boring, boyfriend. With my friends prude, boring, . ll u aware of it, I started to tell d , unadventurous, dull. I even there was a distance, I didn't s u unadventero people about my faith. I started planting the had a fall out with a close see them every day. But with my seeds from the words flowering in me. This time friend because I simply did boyfriend, my decisions affected him though, there was growth… not know how to handle my new faith and what it almost as much as they affected me. I found meant for my lifestyle – that getting drunk did not myself in arguments with him – telling him that A while ago someone made me aware of a put a smile on God's face, that sex before my faith was adding to my life, all the while passage in Isaiah that explained for me why I marriage was not a God–glorifying choice, that I sobbing my heart out. I can't blame him for being had found it so much easier to talk to people needed to clean up my language, that gossiping confused and not leaping at the chance to go to about my faith once it had taken root in my heart. was actually hurting my spirit. It was a hard, church with me – I hardly made Christianity The passage is Isaiah 28:23-29 and it goes like frustrating and unpleasant time and there were seem fulfilling and appealing. I found myself this… moments when I wondered why on earth I was growing more and more frustrated as I tried to tell him about Jesus and seemed to have so little following this road. impact. 23 Listen to me; When I look back on it, I can clearly see the hand listen, and pay close attention. It was at the beginning of last year that I really hit of God planting seeds in my heart 24 Does a farmer always plow and never rock bottom. I had through circumstances and sow? been trying so hard through people. As I made peace Is he forever cultivating the soil and I needed to decide to come to terms with my decision and surrendered never planting? what I w i t h m y to God, His love came into my life 25 Does he not finally plant his seeds— believed and come to convictions and to and I was able to more easily grow black cumin, cumin, wheat, barley, and terms with the convict other into my new faith without sitting at emmer wheat— people at the implications for my lif the braai like an ice queen, wearing each in its proper way, e... same time and I a scowl and daring anyone to offer and each in its proper place? was making no me a drink. As the transformation 26 The farmer knows just what to do, progress in either area. I heard God telling me of my mind began, I found myself for God has given him understanding. that I needed to sort out myself first. I needed to illumin8 - Edition 11 - July 2009

27 A heavy sledge is never used to thresh black cumin; rather, it is beaten with a light stick. A threshing wheel is never rolled on cumin; instead, it is beaten lightly with a flail. 28 Grain for bread is easily crushed, so he doesn't keep on pounding it. He threshes it under the wheels of a cart, but he doesn't pulverize it. 29 The Lord of Heaven's Armies is a wonderful teacher, and he gives the farmer great wisdom

realise this but when the seeds we plant cause completely untouched. I remember feeling such pain, don't bring out the sledge hammer! frustration that what had worked for me did not Growth almost always comes out of hurt but we work for them. But I have learnt to remember need to support people through their “light that we are all different. God meets us where we beatings” and not pulverize them further. are when we seek Him and when the time and place is right, the seeds will In the two and a half years that have fall on fertile soil and take I reme mber feeling s passed since I started following root. What we need to do is uch fr u s tr a ti o n th Jesus, God has done incredible to listen to Him so that when at what h a d w things. That boyfriend is now my o He tells us the time is right – rked for me d id husband and finding his feet in a not work for th we can plant! em sincere and genuine Christian faith. God truly has answered my prayers Verses 27 to 28 describe and when I look back at it now, I see the sensitivity we need to employ when trying to that I was often guided by Him to plant seeds in plant seeds in the hearts of others: A heavy the heart of my husband. sledge is never used to thresh black cumin; rather, it is beaten with a light stick. A threshing wheel is never rolled on cumin; instead, it is Remember that seeds are small and that you beaten lightly with a flail. Grain for bread is might not see anything happening, but deep easily crushed, so he doesn't keep on pounding down they are germinating, the definition of it. He threshes it under the wheels of a cart, but which is to come into existence: to begin. he doesn't pulverize it. The truth hurts even if it is Henry David Thoreau puts it well: “Though I the Word of God. I know for me it did. I

The verse that jumped out for me first was the last one, verse 29: The Lord of Heaven's Armies is a wonderful teacher, and he gives the farmer great wisdom. To me, we are clearly the farmers in this scenario. In Luke 10:2 Jesus tells the disciples, “The harvest is great, but the workers are few.” We are all living with the Great Commission to spread the Gospel and the Holy Spirit gives us the wisdom to do so. I have found remember when God convicted me about that the when the topic of Jesus are sex before marriage. I was doing my comes up in conversation that I To me, we need to try and figure out if the clearly the farmers ironing and watching a talk by David Pawson on DVD. When he started talking Holy Spirit is telling me to this scenario about premarital sex, his words just cut speak or not. Those times in straight to my heart and I stood there, when I have tried to use the resolutely ironing away but with tears just opportunity even if the timing wasn't right, the pouring down my face. The reality is that results were disastrous; but when I spoke only despite being the Good News, some things when spoken to by God, then I found that people are not always easy to hear. We need to received my words much more openly.

do not believe that a plant will spring up where no seed has been, I have great faith in a seed. Convince me that you have a seed there, and I am prepared to expect wonders.”

Expect wonders!

k The second thing that struck home with me was verse 25: Does he not finally plant his seeds— black cumin, cumin, wheat, barley, and emmer wheat— each in its proper way, and each in its proper place? During those dark days of confusion, I would give someone a teaching or share a story with them that had revolutionised the way I saw God. I simply could not understand when the person was left

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DAVID BERTRAM

A Baobab tree can be seen standing in the Lowveld bush, looking as if it is dead. During the dry season, the Baobab has bare branches. There is not much grass nearby and around it are thorn bushes and sand. The Lowveld is also the hottest part of the country. The Baobab tree is renowned for its squat shape and stubby branches which look as if the branches are actually roots yet in their own peculiar way, they are beautiful trees. There is a huge Baobab near Modjadji, Limpopo Province, which is said to be 2000 years old. When the rains come, the grass grows, and all the trees and shrubs get their leaves, transforming the countryside. Where the area previously looked like barren semi-desert it now seems like lush vegetation. The Baobab will start to grow leaves, then flowers, which fall to the ground. Later the oblong, furry fruit capsule develops, containing dry lumps of 'cream of tartar' (which give the tree its Afrikaans name) surrounding little black seeds. The Baobab spends the dry season waiting for the rains. It is a model of patient endurance. Patience is one of the fruits of

illumin8 - Edition 11 - July 2009

the Holy Spirit (Galatians 5.22-23). While the tree seems to be dormant, it is actually providing a structure for nesting birds, lizards, and a variety of insects. It is not useless. Its roots are still drawing water and nutriments from far below ground level, and still growing deeper in search of more. Because they lose their leaves, the Baobabs and other trees conserve precious water in the dry season. There are times in the life of every person which seem like the dry season. There are times we ask, 'What am I here for? I'm achieving nothing. I'm wasting time.' Yet this may be a very important time because the Holy Spirit can work undisturbed in the great depths of our being, without being detected. Then when the right time comes, it is like the new rains on the bushveld. We discover strengths we did not know about. We find new directions. When opportunities arise, we are equipped to take advantage of them. A new season begins in our lives.

There are times in the life of every person which seem like the dry season. There are times we ask, 'What am I here for? I'm achieving nothing. I'm wasting time.'

In the case of Moses, we are told he spent forty years as a shepherd in the desert of Midian (Acts 7.29-30). It was not a waste of time. It was a training ground. When he led the people of Israel out of Egypt, they spent another forty years in the desert. And Moses, their leader, was able to find water for humans and their sheep, and forage for the flocks, guided by the Lord, but also relying on his desert experience. He did not realise that while he was 'wasting time' as a shepherd, he was being equipped for the most important role of his life, leading Israel to the Promised Land. In the dry season, we need to learn to put our roots deep down into God in prayer and faith and patience. When the rain comes, we will see the difference. Remember the Baobab.

by Katy

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