BREAKING THE FALLOW GROUND
By Tonya Gordon
The concept of unplowed or fallow ground can take on several meanings . Visually , it ushers in a picture of hardened soil suffering from a lack of close care . Weeds are crowding the space that once offered optimal conditions for harvest . The soil , no longer being bent back toward God ’ s original design , is sadly denied the fulfillment of its intended purpose .
Unplowed or fallow ground can be symbolic of a life woefully misguided due to the absence of biblical shepherding . Unwavering , unapologetic , and scripturally-aligned shepherding ensures a Godglorifying , fulfilled life . Without such cultivation , there is a high likelihood that weeds such as purposelessness , despair , entitlement , and vengefulness will choke out one ’ s God-ordained , inherent potential .
“ Sow righteousness for yourselves , 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 his righteousness on you .”
Hosea 10:12
God ’ s Word is unquestionably clear . From the beginning , God tasked parents , grandparents , and the family with this responsibility : “ These are the commands , decrees , and laws the Lord your God directed me to teach you to observe in the land that you are crossing the Jordan to possess , so that you , your children , and their children , and their children after them may fear the Lord your God as long as you live by keeping all his decrees and commands that I give you , and so that you may enjoy long life ” ( Deut . 6:1-3 ).
We are to be steadily cultivating , through instruction and modeling , our children ’ s minds and hearts to follow , honor , and live for Him .
“ Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength . These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts . Impress them on your children . Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road , when you lie down and when you get up . Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads . Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates ” ( Deut . 6 : 5-9 ).
Parents , grandparents , and family , please take a moment to self-reflect . If you have been blessed and charged by God with children , ask the following critical questions . Is time with God a priority or an occasional preference ? Is the time spent daily or a couple of times a week , month , or year ? Are you equipping yourself well by praying , studying God ’ s Word , and growing in knowledge with other like-minded believers ? Who are you trusting outside of your direct influence to come alongside you and pour God ’ s precepts and promises into your child ’ s mind and heart ? How much concentrated time are you having with your child versus these outside influences ?
Cultivation of the mind and heart is education . Today , the where , what , why , and how principles of educational philosophies and methodologies can
44 THE RENEWANATION REVIEW