One of my favorite times is when I am in my garden barefoot with the dirt between my toes and under my fingernails. My hands are muddy, and when you hose off, it looks like you received a bad spray tan because of the rich red clay here in Tennessee. You see a worm squirming in the garden bed, and out of your periphery, a bunny rabbit hops by. You breathe in the fresh evening air as a breeze blows your half-fallen hair out of your face.
These are the moments I feel the most peace. I could do this all day long, focusing on a task while humming my favorite hymn, praying to the Lord, or just enjoying the peace and quiet. Maybe your experience does not look exactly like mine, but you still really enjoy every minute you are in your garden or flower bed. What if I told you that the reason you love this is not only physical and physiological but spiritual too!?
Beneficial Bacterium
There are many benefits of gardening and getting your hands dirty. Upon research, I learned that neurologically, there is a connection between us and a bacterium found in the soil, called Mycobacterium vaccae. Holbrook and other contributors write in their academic study from International Journal of Molecular Sciences, “Industrialized nations have higher rates of chronic low-grade inflammation, inflammatory diseases, and psychiatric disorders due to urbanization resulting in decreased exposures to immunoregulatory microorganisms (i.e., microorganisms that promote a balanced expression of regulatory and effector T cells) [7,8]. Indeed, growing up on a farm provides protection against allergic asthma.” (Holbrook, 2023).
Not only does Mycobacterium vaccae aid in immune response, but it also stimulates the release of norepinephrine and serotonin. I have discussed these before on the blog. I will leave the link here: https://wonderfullymade-kmk.com/how-to-reduce-stress/
Therefore, when we get our hands dirty, we have an increase in peace, positivity, and mood. Praise the Lord for connecting us to his creation and blessing us with it in so many ways, even on a psychological level! This means being in the dirt provides some degree of protection against inflammatory diseases and psychiatric disorders – this is huge news. What a great defense we can find in nature for free!
Alpha Wave Activity
I’m not sure how hippie-dippy this might be for you, but I find it interesting. There is also a connection between a microbe found in the soil called “Streptomyces rimosus”. It is what gives the soil that good earthy smell. When we come in contact with it, it increases something called Alpha wave activity. Alpha wave activity is a type of brain wave activity typically observed when someone is in a meditative state or relaxed, with their eyes closed. The increase in this brain wave activity is beneficial for promoting a relaxed yet alert state of wakefulness, as well as creativity. Therefore, just the smell of the soil can increase stress relief.
Building up your Immune Response
There is also research that suggests exposure to microorganisms in the soil can increase T cell production. This helps combat foreign invaders and enhances immune response and resilience, therefore strengthening our immune system. I discuss our immune response and more here: https://wonderfullymade-kmk.com/how-to-get-rid-of-mucus/
Considering this, I am curious if that is another reason why we see an uptick in illnesses during the colder months. Related to people not spending as much time outside as we normally do in the warmer months.
The Spiritual Harvest
I also want to encourage you not only with the physical harvest but also with the spiritual implications regarding the harvest. It comes up quite a bit in scripture. I am sure it is because the Lord inspired the biblical authors to write about it. Since it was so relatable to readers at that time and still is today.
James 3:17-18 states, ” But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial, and sincere. And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.” (ESV) “
- The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge” (Proverbs 1:7) . Wisdom begins with loving, honoring, and upholding God and his commandments. Righteous conduct we can only obtain from the Lord through the Holy Spirit, which God then blesses.
The Good Shepherd
Matthew 9:35-38 states, “And Jesus went throughout all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom and healing every disease and every affliction. When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.” (ESV)
- Interestingly, Micah 5:4 predicts that the Messiah will shepherd his people. The leaders at the time were not fulfilling their responsibility of leading the people. Therefore, the people are like sheep led astray without a shepherd. Praise the Lord for having compassion on us and sending His Son to be the Good Shepherd.
2 Corinthians 9:10, “He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness.” (ESV)
- God is the provider of all things, and He will increase the harvest in terms of your righteousness. Which, if we look back to James 3:17-18 (or forward if you are looking in a bible, haha). We can see it is Him increasing our righteousness, sanctifying us, and making us more like Him. Being more like Christ subsequently makes our lives more fulfilling and blissful. Do not mistake this for easier or without grief. None of us can escape that, but in Christ, we have hope despite what may come.
Gracious God
There are over a hundred different verses that pertain to sowing, reaping, and harvest. I encourage you to go study them.
Lord, thank you so much for your word to us. I cannot thank you enough for the undeserving compassion you have lavished upon us. We bring nothing to you, yet you give us everything- eternal life with you. What more could we ask for? Please remind our hearts of this. Increase our satisfaction in you God. To you all honor, glory, and praise.
“The righteous has enough to satisfy his appetite, but the belly of the wicked suffers want.”
– Proverbs 13:25
RESOURCES
Holbrook, E. M., Zambrano, C. A., O Wright, C. T., Dubé, E. M., Stewart, J. R., Sanders, W. J., Frank, M. G., MacDonald, A. S., Reber, S. O., & Lowry, C. A. (2023). Mycobacterium vaccae NCTC 11659, a Soil-Derived Bacterium with Stress Resilience Properties, Modulates the Proinflammatory Effects of LPS in Macrophages. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 24(6), 5176. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms24065176