Dear St. Paul’s Family,
People who know me well understand that I am a pretty lousy gardener. If Midas had the golden touch, then I have the rotten touch, at least when it comes to plant life. Nevertheless, the gorgeous sunshine and balmy weather has prompted me to think a lot about gardens lately, and even induced me and my family to do some yard work last weekend. Hopefully, we’ll soon have geraniums, marigolds, tomatoes, rosemary, and strawberries to enjoy. But if that happens, rest assured it will be despite my efforts, not because of them.
As we were working in the yard on Sunday, I thought about how nice it initially must have been for Adam and Eve. They didn’t have to work to enjoy the beauty around them, because flowers didn’t fade and plants didn’t whither. It must have been paradise, I thought to myself. All the splendor, without the sweat.
Augustine was fond of saying that Eden, before the fall, was a place of perfect balance. You could eat but not gain weight, play but not get sore, have sex without lustful urges, and live out your days without getting old. That’s the view of Eden the church has carried for centuries: a view of static flawlessness, without the possibility of imperfection.
That’s a tempting idea, except of course there’s the issue of that fruit. That whole business about a Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil.
Why, we wonder, would God have placed even the possibility of sin in such a perfect place? Why introduce the potential for a problem, in the midst of paradise? And to spin the dilemma out further, might God be even indirectly implicated for the presence of sin in the world today? Was Eden such a perfect place after all?
John Hick, in his book Evil and the God of Love, offers a counter-point to the classic Augustinian view of Eden, and helps us to negotiate these troublesome theological landmines. Rather than defining Paradise as static perfection, Hick suggests we view it as a place where “souls could be formed.” [1] Choosing to follow God and turn away from evil builds stamina for the soul, increases our capacity to long for and love God, and moves us toward full maturity, similar to how muscles can only grow when their fibers are torn. Giving free will to Adam and Eve – and all of us – was not a flaw in the plan. It was integral to the plan.
Like a seed struggling from its casing and growing against the odds, our faith can only be formed by engaging the threatening elements around us and within us. And if Hick is right, then Paradise is not an ideal locked in the past to which we long to return. We can live in Paradise now, in the midst of a garden where our souls can be strengthened every day, through patience and discipline.
A few years ago one of my favorite columnists, David Brooks of The New York Times, departed from his usual fare of politics and current events to write a piece about baseball. He reflected on a book he once read called The ABC’s of Pitching, by H. A. Dorfman. Dorfman claims that the one thing that prevents ordinary pitchers from being great pitchers is not the lack of ability or potential. It is having a scattered mind. The secret to being a successful pitcher is the same as that required for other aspects of life, particularly the Christian life. You need mental discipline: “Self-discipline is a form of freedom. Freedom from laziness and lethargy, freedom from expectations and demands of others, freedom from weakness and fear — and doubt.” [2]
Brooks writes that the “assumption seems to be that you can’t just urge someone to be disciplined; you have to build a structure of behavior and attitude. Behavior shapes thought. If a player disciplines his behavior, then he will also discipline his mind.”
When a pitcher stands on the mound, it is tempting to have one’s thoughts consumed by many things: the crowd cheering, the score of the game, the pressure of the moment, the batting preferences of the hitter. But when it all comes down to it, the one thing that is most important is not the game situation, or the pitcher’s personality, or even his talent. What is at the center is the task. Doing what you know you have to do at that one moment in time. Not thinking about the next moment or regretting what just happened before. The task at hand ought to be your singular focus. In the end, that is the only thing you can control anyway.
“And by putting the task at the center,” Brooks writes, “Dorfman helps the pitcher quiet the self. He pushes the pitcher’s thoughts away from his own qualities — his expectations, his nerve, his ego — and helps the pitcher lose himself in the job.”
So here’s the connection between gardening and baseball, two hallmarks of this beautiful spring season. Whether you’re growing the perfect tomatoes, tossing the perfect curveball, or living a Christ-like life, maturity takes time, patience, and constant attention. So hang in there. No matter what life tosses at you, keep your “main task at the center.” And may your soul be formed in the process.
Grace, Peace, and Good Gardening,
Magrey
The Rev. Magrey R. deVega
St. Paul's United Methodist Church
531 W. Main St.
Cherokee, IA 51012
Ph: 712-225-3955
http://www.cherokeespumc.org
[1] Hick, John. “Evil and the God of Love.” HarperSanFrancisco, 1978. I was introduced to this book by a sermon by Tom Long, at the 2006 Festival of Homiletics in Atlanta, GA.
[2] Brooks, David. “Pitching with Purpose.” The New York Times, April 1, 2008. (http://www.nytimes.com/2008/04/01/opinion/01brooks.html)
THE NEW COMMUNITY FLOWER GARDEN AT ST. PAUL’S
So back to gardening. Anne Raver once wrote, “Gardens, scholars say, are the first sign of commitment to a community. When people plant corn they are saying, let's stay here. And by their connection to the land, they are connected to one another.” The Scriptures are filled with reminders that the land is a precious gift from God, and caring for it draws us closer to both God and one another.
That’s why I was delighted to hear of the plans by the Adult Class to turn part of our newly acquired 6th Street property into a community flower garden, called The New Life Gardens of Piety Hill. Over the next several days, the ground will be prepared for people in the congregation and the community to plant and grow flowers and ornamentals throughout the summer. You may even choose to offer your flowers and bouquets in the sanctuary for worship.
Plots are available now and you can sign up by contacting the church office. We anticipate that the ground will be cleared of rocks at this Saturday’s Clean-Up Day and the soil will be tilled shortly thereafter. That means you can begin planting as soon as next week. Here are some basic pointers to keep in mind:
Who can participate? This is open to all members and friends of St. Paul’s UMC.
How can I reserve a plot? Plots are 2 feet deep by 5-6 feet long, and a diagram of the plots is available at the church office. You can sign up for more than one plot, or share your plot(s) with someone else. Please register your designated area by contacting the office, then identify it in such away that others are made aware of your space.
When can I reserve and plant? You can reserve your spot now. Plant anytime after the area is tilled.
What can I plant? Anything ornamental and floral. In other words, no fruits or vegetables.
How will my plot be cared for? Those who plant should plan to revisit their plots for periodic weeding and, if needed, watering. Current plans are for some area sprinklers to be used during the dry seasons to minimize the need to carry water. We ask that everyone be in charge of their designated plot.
CHURCH CLEAN-UP DAY
Join us this Saturday morning as we clean up the church building and grounds. We’ll go from 8am to 12noon, and we have a long list of things you can do to beautify our property. You can bring your own cleaning supplies and equipment if you wish, but we will provide ample materials as well. Then, we’ll have lunch afterwards. For more information, contact Evan Knapp.
VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL REGISTRATION HAS BEGUN
Ahoy, mates! Sign up your children for another exciting Vacation Bible School! “High Seas Expedition” takes place from June 9-13, 9am-12noon, at a cost of $7 per child (ages 3 through completed 5th grade.) Register this Sunday at the VBS table, or simply drop by the church office. Scholarships are also available for anyone in need.
LAWNMOWING SIGN-UP
Help keep the north lawn trimmed and clean every week throughout the summer. A sign-up sheet is available outside the church office, and we will provide you with the lawnmower and the gas. For more information, contact Al Henn.
WORSHIP THIS SUNDAY
Join us as we continue our sermon series “The Seven Next Words of Christ” with a focus on Jesus’ words in Matthew 28:18-20: “Go into all the world and make disciples.” We will also be receiving a special offering for our Camp Fund to support those in our congregation and our community who will be attending one of our United Methodist camps at Okoboji this summer.
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