Another Insight from Composting:
Transformation

Another thing that struck me about our most recent batch of compost was how its ingredients had been transformed. They started out as leaves, weeds, plant stalks, grass clippings, coffee grounds, and filters, but you can barely identify any of them now. Those inputs have been almost totally transformed into something different—and far more fruitful.

We see that same dynamic in people who yield themselves to God. Three of the most dramatic examples are Moses, Gideon, and Paul. Moses and Gideon started out hesitant and unsure, but turned into great leaders once they surrendered themselves to God’s call. Paul was a proud, purposeful, persecutor of the early church, but turned into one of its most effective evangelists once he surrendered to God. They are prime examples of what Jesus was describing when He talked about truly gaining our lives—being transformed into great sources of blessing—by surrendering to God.

Another Insight from Composting: Utility

Yesterday I had the pleasurable experience of moving a compost pile we started last fall. It was dark, loose, moist, and full of earthworms, probably the best looking batch we have produced. It gave me a real sense of accomplishment, thinking that we had successfully carried the task of composting to its completion.

But then I realized that the compost is not an end in itself. As good as it is, it is a means to a greater end: producing a crop. I am hopeful that will occur, but we’re not there yet. We still have to put that compost to work before we are actually done with the composting process.

There seems to be a strong parallel between that and our lives in Christ.  We, through God’s grace, put real effort into our sanctification, and we see results. That is good, and is likely pleasing to God, but not enough. God saves and sanctifies in order for us to deliver His goodness into the world. We have to put our sanctification to work in order to truly complete the process. See Ephesians 2:10; Titus 2:14; Titus 3:8; Titus 3:14; 1 John 3:17-19; Luke 3:8-11, James 2:14-26.