Devotions for a Busy Business Person, no. 266 – Being the thread

Do you know how hard it is to transplant fennel? 

“Do not despise these small beginnings, for the Lord rejoices to see the work begin…” — Zechariah 4:10 (NLT)

Last week I worked at my daughter’s and son’s-in-law farm. I was tasked to plant fennel seedlings in the bed. I didn’t know the spacing. I didn’t know the depth they needed. I didn’t know how to get the seedlings out of the trays without stripping the root. My (mostly) patient son-in-law had to give me basic instructions before I could start. Two hours later, after killing several seedlings, I transferred the remaining 300 transplants (somewhat) successfully.

Now remember, this is the guy – Mark Polet – who has this global vision to use regenerative agriculture and ecosystem restoration to renew hearts and planet. Ha! Easy words to write; a bit of a challenge to implement. 

In my last devotion, I spoke about the needle as visionary and the thread as implementor. Being a needle is challenging:  it is lonely work, difficult to articulate the vision and assemble the resources needed to implement it. It is equally challenging being the thread.  It is vital for the visionary to understand the burdens and frustrations implementors face firsthand. 

“Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you.”  John 13:14–15 (NIV)

Every needle needs to get dirt under their fingernails. Jesus did. He knelt. He washed feet. He showed us what it means to work, not just to lead. As you cast your grand vision, remember that to change the world, it will take one seedling at a time. 

Prayer

God, may humility and realism keep me firmly planted on the ground even as I gaze at the sky.

Amen