What Are You Cultivating?
I don’t know about you but the first thing I think of when the word cultivate comes to mind is a garden-digging in the soil and planting seeds under the watchful eye of a patient gardener who meticulously cultivates the plantings until the time of harvest. It’s all a process. I actually looked up the definition of the word cultivating and found three meanings: 1) to foster the growth of 2) further encourage 3) refine: to improve by labor, care or study. As I was reading scripture the other day I came across the word cultivate in a totally different context other than gardening. In Psalm 37:3 it says, “Trust in the Lord, and do good; Dwell in the land and cultivate faithfulness.” Cultivate faithfulness. Am I doing that? As I looked at the three definitions I asked myself, am I cultivating my faith by growing in my faith or am I stagnant? Am I cultivating my faith by encouraging others in their faith walk or am I keeping it to myself? Am I cultivating my faith by taking care of it through the regular study of God’s Word? And as far as the labor or work is concerned, am I committing it to God so He can establish it? This certainly made me think.
What I am learning whether it be gardening or faithfulness, we are cultivating something all the time….every day. At times, we can even cultivate something negative like bitterness and just like a seed that is watered….it too grows. Likewise, JOY can be cultivated, watered, encouraged and can grow exponentially when nurtured and cared for.
I have been a contributing author/writer for Celebrate Magazine now since 2016. Celebrate is a marvelous example of what is means to cultivate a sense of community and pride in the hearts of Arkansans. They are celebrating their 20 th Anniversary!!!! Congratulations Celebrate Arkansas…Well Done!!! They cultivate this sense of community by providing a beautiful space to display the many accomplishments and successes of the people of the state of Arkansas, both young and seasoned who are finding a way to give back. Philanthropy, Health and Wellness, Giving Back, Arts and Culture, Back to School, Pets and Family, Food and Beverage, Women’s Issue…just to name a few of the magazines’ titles, are spotlighted to cultivate not only interest but involvement. I was asked almost seven years ago to write “a spiritual piece, like a short devotional.” I have been honored to do so and grateful that Celebrate has always made this an important part of the magazine. I cannot count the times people have stopped me to say that they have picked this magazine up while waiting at a doctor’s office and let me know how it encouraged them. Celebrate is more than just a magazine. It is a continual story….one month at a time…cultivating a sense of community. I have known Wyley and Stephanie Elliott for years and what they cultivate is a work environment that allows others to flourish in their field. Wyley, Stephanie, Justin, Jocelyn, Brooke, Daniel, Tracy, Aaryn, Bill and Carl. Thank you and Congrats! Consider the definition of cultivate.
Might it be wise to ask, “What am I cultivating?”