The Starting Place

I hear my Abba’s still, small voice:

“It was on the sixth day, My precious children, that I took the soil and worked it into the intricate design I called ‘human.’ From the ground (adamah) man (adam) was formed. When My Spirit breathed life into the airways to fill the lungs, this new and lovely creation became fully and wonderfully alive. Adam, and then Eve, completed the creation that I called ‘good’ in all of its parts. It was now ‘very good’ in its harmony, abundance, and completion. It is ‘very good’ to be fully alive and in harmony with Me in all of your parts—body, spirit, and soul.  

“What is your human soul? It is your mind, your will, and your emotions. Together, these comprise a complex inner landscape that requires constant care. My desire is that you would care for your soul with diligence and tenderness. Guard it from waywardness. Protect it from adversaries.

“When I placed Adam in the garden it was so he would have a sense of ‘home’ in My presence. This was a place of rest and purpose. I gave him the authority to tend the garden—an enjoyable task as the unspoiled earth yielded easily to his efforts. With any measure of authority comes responsibility, so it was also Adam’s responsibility to tend the garden. To maintain it. To watch over it. To cultivate it. His connection to the land was physical, yes, but it was also a metaphor for the ‘internal land’ that I give to each person.   

“And so it is with you, beloved. Consider your soul’s landscape. You have been given the authority and responsibility to cultivate, keep, protect, care for, and tend to the inner landscape of your own mind, will, and emotions.   

“Consider this truth deeply, for it will instruct you well. Your connection with soil is both physically real and spiritually real. Those times when you feel ‘at one with nature’ happen because you are formed from the same elements that are found in the earth.  

“Consider also, but only briefly, those times when you ‘feel like dirt.’ This, too, speaks of your earthiness. You know your frailties all too well. And so do I, beloved, which is why I put a plan of redemption in place long, long ago.

“While earthen vessels are frail and humble abodes, this is not the final perspective. Though I formed you from the soil, I fashioned you to become a vessel of honour, purpose, and rest. What I have purposed for you I will also help you to do and to become. So let your soul be comforted, beloved.

“The spiritual treasure you hold within your earthen vessel is your salvation by My grace through your faith in Jesus Christ. Though the container may seem unworthy, the treasure within it is great. Consider that ancient kings stored their treasures in earthenware jars. I store My most glorious treasure in you. Let this life-giving Truth saturate the landscape of your soul and soften the soil of your heart.”  

Bible References
Genesis 2:8; Genesis 2:15; Job 32:8; Job 33:6; Proverbs 4:23; Matthew 131-23; Mark 4:1-20; Luke 8:5-15; 1 Corinthians 2:5; 2 Corinthians 4:7; Philippians 3:12-14; Philippians 4:6-9  

Series: Soil Conditions: Part 1: The Starting Place

© Carol Schafer 2022