Although I do not go back to an office or school or teaching today, I feel that my leave has also ended. The last day of permanent work for me was back in June 2010. And although I have taught in a couple of schools here in Brisbane for short periods, I have essentially been on vacation.
We finally had classic sunny Brisbane weather these last few days, allowing Craig and I to spend some time at the beach. Nothing like the ocean and the cool breeze to clear the cobwebs on the brain. For a brief few days I could take my mind off the stress and pressure we face settling back in Australia. So the long weekend involved walking in the sunshine, sketching beach-side scenes, and lattés and heart-to-heart talks. One verse that has been of great encouragement in recent weeks read:
Sow for yourself righteousness, reap the fruit of unfailing love, and break up your unplowed ground for it is time to seek the Lord, until He comes and showers righteousness on you.
On first reading “unplowed ground”, my thoughts went to this unknown city we have decided to live in. A new territory that was not quite home, or comfortably familiar at least. There were many unknowns and decisions pending on complicated layers of if-then-else constructs. While we still think and reminisce of our old life in America, there comes a time when we need to “break new ground” in our life.
Breaking up “fallow ground” in other versions, also referred to the hardened soil of my heart. What are areas in my life that are unused, untapped, laid to waste, not ready so that seeds of righteousness can be sown? Nothing can grow on a stubbornly unplowed and obstinate heart. What are the choking weeds that need to be uprooted from my heart? What rocks need to be broken up so that my heart can be plowed, even deeper, so that the fruit of unfailing love can be reaped?
It is the New Year and my holidays have ended. Refreshed with a new heart, ready for a fresh start.
[Verse from Hosea 10.12, NIV; Redcliffe, November 2010]
