March Reflection – Creation Care – preparing and protecting the soil
By Sarah Dillon
Sarah currently lives in Bedfordshire, UK. Sarah has been involved with GB since the age of 5 years old, nearly 25 years in total. Sarah works in Human Resources and is involved with the apprenticeship schemes and apprentices at her organisation. Sarah was part of the ICGB delegate team in 2018 in Zambia.
Most of us will know the story of the farmer sowing seeds in Mark 4 v 1-20 where some seeds fell on the path, some fell on rocky ground, some fell among weeds and some fell in good soil. In the parable, Jesus teaches that when people hear God’s word they will react in different ways, either ignoring the word, hearing it but not accepting it, accepting God’s word but eventually becoming tempted by the world or fully accepting God’s word.
As part of the GB family, we spend our time preparing the soil of the girls and young women that we meet and get to know each week. We use the skills God has given us and the opportunities to encourage, empower and equip the girls in our care. From teaching skills, playing games, doing crafts or cooking and spending time in devotions, we sow God’s word in their lives. It is important work that we are doing and through all the interactions we have with the girls, we impact their lives and leave seeds of God’s word. We may not always see the impact immediately, or ever, but by preparing the soil of the girls’ lives through GB we can know for certainty that God is at work.
On 8th March 2019, it is International Women’s Day where the theme is #BalanceforBetter. International Women’s Day is focusing on creating a better gender balanced world. A world that creates a better, more balanced environment for our girls and young women. We are a big part of that challenge as we are constantly working to empower, equip and encourage our girls and young women. Reminding them that they can do anything they put their mind to and trust to the Lord.
As well as doing our best to prepare and protect the soil in the lives of the young women of our GB family, we also need to ensure that we protect our own soil and care for ourselves. Being part of GB is such an awarding experience but it can also be draining on us physically, mentally and spiritually. We are constantly giving so much of ourselves to the girls and other leaders in order to best prepare the girls’ hearts for God. We need to remember to take time to protect our own soil so that we do not become like the other soils and draw distant from God.
It’s ok to take a break when you’re starting to feel drained. Do what is best for you to renew and refresh yourself spiritually and mentally. Maybe go for a walk, create prayer groups within your GB leadership team, do a Bible reading or go to your personal quiet place (your bedroom, a tranquil spot in the countryside, or maybe even your bathroom) to spend time alone with God. By doing things like this, it will help to protect the soil of your hearts and keep your hearts open to God’s word and His work.
Above all, remember that God is at work in you and overflowing through you in your work with GB.
“Whatever I have, wherever I am, I can make it through anything in the One who makes me who I am.” Philippians 4 v 13 MSG
