Going Organic
Organic. It’s a word that is becoming more used and practiced in society than ever before. There is organic gardening, organic farming, organic meat, organic vegetables, organic clothing and in researching this subject I even read about organic cleaning.
Basically there are increasing numbers of people who are going organic. What it means to live an organic lifestyle is that you are making a commitment to the environment and your health. Originally all food was produced organically, but over time farmers started to use pesticides and herbicides, which have now been linked to several different illnesses. And since in the United States alone it is estimated that over 1500 people die from some type of cancer each day increasing numbers of people are looking at what they have determined is a healthier alternative.
The word “organic” is also often used to describe church growth or more specifically personal spiritual growth but what does that mean? What does it look like? The best way is to compare the characteristics of what organic is.
For example to be organic it is not genetically modified but has pure DNA. For centuries church life has been planned and programmed down to tiniest detail. The church's DNA has been modified and manipulated to the point that the core of church life and growth is unnatural and "inorganic". In spite of occasionally creating monstrous plants, this modified DNA has resulted in chronic immaturity with little fruit bearing. To be organic the church must have the unmodified DNA of Jesus controlling her life. Only then is the church truly organic. Unfortunately, most of her gardeners are trained in church genetics and refuse to take a "hands off" approach.
To be organic pesticides are not used but allows natural resistance develop. Now that takes courage because what may seem to be "a garden springing up in disorder" in fact allows God's life and natural immunities to start to work! Organic church life is a natural pesticide. In the organic church we embrace life with weeds, pests, and all. To be labeled 'organic" the church allows God's love to flow to problem people because love covers a multitude of sins.
When you support organic growth chemical fertilizers are not used but depends on the use of compost. Now compost is messy and often doesn’t smell very good but it sure does grow healthy plants and produces wonderful fruit. To experience organic spiritual growth we must learn what it means to grow in the compost of daily living.
Organic contains no artificial flavoring added but instead is all natural. Organic spiritual growth is the same; it has nothing artificial but is all (super) natural! Many lament that there isn’t enough reliance on the Spirits power but sadly these same people manipulate and control refusing to allow Spirit lead growth and transformation. It’s time to go organic!
Sadly today there isn’t a lot of celebration or even acceptance of diversity. All the plants are expected to be the same. Sit there and grow! No variety allowed. If something different springs up it is soon cut down. In the organic world every plant is unique and contributes to the garden. It is encouraged. Each one contributes their unique gift as Jesus works through them. This makes for stronger roots, greater strength, disease resistance and healthier variety of fruit! To be labeled "organic" everyone participates, brings their particular flavor to the garden and in so doing they build each other up.
It doesn’t take a scientific study to see that there are a lot exhausted gardeners, stripped soil, chemical resistant pests, and spiritual gardens that have become over run with weeds, and produces tasteless fruit. It is not sustainable. An organic approach is coming into it’s own. It’s full of God's life. It is real and produces great tasting fruit. It just needs organic believers. It is God's organic garden.